The feasibility of a Web-based surveillance system to collect health risk behavior data from college students

This study examined the feasibility of collecting health risk behavior data from undergraduate students using a Web-based survey. Undergraduates were randomly selected and assigned randomly to a mail survey group and a Web su rvey group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for demographics, response rates, item completion, and item com pletion errors. Yet differences were found for response time and sensitive item completion. This is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting health risk behavior data from undergraduates using the Web. Und ergraduates are just as likely to respond to a Web survey compared with a m ail survey and more likely to answer socially threatening items using this method. Also, the Web format and protocol required less time to administer. Researchers and practitioners conducting health survey research with colle ge students or other homogeneous populations who have access to e-mail and the Web should consider using a Web-based survey design as an alternative t o a mail, self-administered survey. In such a population, a Web-based surve y should not discourage participation, particularly if participants are int erested in the questionnaire content.