Enhancing survey quality through app-based modular designs

Long web surveys often place a heavy burden on respondents, increasing the risk of breakoffs and low-quality responses. In this study by Faculty Associate Christopher Antoun and colleagues reported in the Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology, research apps were tested to determine if they could reduce perceived burden and improve response quality.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: a traditional browser-based survey as the control, an app-based survey, a modular app survey divided into seven parts, or a sequential modular app survey that released modules every 48 hours. Antoun and colleagues then compared breakoff rates, reported burden, and indicators of satisficing behavior across groups. 

Findings from this study suggest that app-based surveys can reduce perceived burden and lead to better quality responses. Antoun and colleagues also found weak evidence to support that releasing modules over time might further enhance data quality, though this strategy increased the risk of breakoffs between modules.

Christopher Antoun, Brady T West, Xin (Rosalynn) Yang, Syed Junaid M A Zaidi, Jennifer Sinibaldi, An Experimental Comparison of Modular and Non-Modular Approaches for Administering Surveys via Smartphone Apps, Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology, 2025;, smaf008, https://doi.org/10.1093/jssam/smaf008