Web-based surveys as an alternative to traditional mail methods

Environmental economists have long used Surveys to gather information about people's preferences. A recent innovation in survey methodology hits been the advent of web-based surveys. While the Internet appears to offer it promising alternative to conventional survey administration modes, concerns exist over potential sampling biases associated with web-based surveys and the effect these may have on valuation estimates. This paper compares results obtained from a travel cost questionnaire of visitors to Fraser Island, Australia, that was conducted using two alternate Survey administration modest conventional mail and web-based. It is found that response rates and the socio-demographic make-up of respondents to the two Survey modes are not statistically different. Moreover, both modes yield similar consumer Surplus estimates. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.