Concerns regarding validity and generalizability of online survey studies’ finding during COVID-19.
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Limited generalizability: Lack of information about representativeness of sample (selection and respondent bias).
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Threats to validity: Survey fraud, participant disinterest, and possible bias due to online mode of survey.
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Need to adequately describe methodology, steps taken to address safety and ethical issues unique to online survey.
Abstract
In view of restrictions imposed to control COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in online survey-based studies because of its ability to collect data with greater ease and faster speed compared to traditional methods. However, there are important concerns about the validity and generalizability of findings obtained using the online survey methodology. Further, there are data privacy concerns and ethical issues unique to these studies due to the electronic and online nature of survey data. Here, we describe some of the important issues associated with poor scientific quality of online survey findings, and provide suggestions to address them in future studies going ahead.
