Computer-assisted Web Interviewing - Ethics in Online Questionnaires

Ethics in Online Questionnaires

Ethical issues should be considered when gathering data from a target audience. Below are common things one should keep in mind when considering the rights and interests of the participant.

• Participant should not be obliged to answer any of the questions.
• Incentives to take a survey should be used sparingly.
• Questionnaires should have the option to be anonymous.
• Confidentiality must be imposed on certain questionnaires. Identification may be required on questionnaires that need follow up. Although, in this case the administrator may choose to use identifying numbers rather than names. In this case, the participant of the questionnaire should completely understand what the number is used for and why it is there.
• Questions should have the option of “I don’t know” or an option that denotes neutrality so the participant feels he/she has the opportunity to plead ignorance or neutrality so that inaccurate data is not provided.
• Questions should not trick the participant. They should be worded clearly; the participant should feel comfortable and know exactly what he/she is responding to.
• Participant in most cases should know why the questionnaire is taking place and what the information will be used for.
• In some cases, the questionnaire should be reviewed by an ethics committee or outside party. This is particularly important if the questionnaire involves giving sensitive information or the topic is one which may make some participants uncomfortable.