This contribution looks into the survey mode effect using a randomized trial comparing data from paper-and-pencil and computerized web questionnaire concerning the willingness to buy (WTB) and the willingness to pay (WTP) for two food products certified as organic. A survey questionnaire was filled in by 110 university students for each mode in thermal comfort lab conditions. The design enables to study measurement variance specifically attributable to the mode of questionnaire completion (i.e. mode effect) and presentation of products (i.e. stimulus effect). While the two questionnaires were as similar as possible, the paper-and-pencil version involved the actual presentation of a tetra pack package of organic orange juice of 750 ml and a paper package of organic spaghetti of 500 g, but the computerized version involved their video projection. As regards the difference in substantive results, the prospective consumers subjects seemed to be more willing to buy the organic orange juice when presented live than presented on video embedded in the computerized questionnaire, while only women were willing to pay more for orange juice for the paper-and-pencil mode. No difference was found for the organic spaghetti product. As regards the response quality, in contrast to previous studies respondents wrote fewer words to the open-ended question in the computerized than in the paper-and-pencil version of the questionnaire. In addition, the study shows that using video clips as replacement for physical product presentations when measuring WTB and WTP as important concepts in consumer preference research needs further testing and evaluation as respondents may not react to them in the same way.
COBISS.SI-ID: 35269469
With the closing of the age-related gap in mobile phone uptake and the aging of the population, older adults have increasingly become a desirable target group for mobile phone providers. Although there is abundant literature describing the use of mobile phones among older adults, segmentation studies on this group of consumers remain scant and inconclusive. Drawing on the benefit and behavioral segmentation, this study presents a segmentation model of older adults in the mobile phone market that incorporates a wide variety of consumer behavior, attitudinal, and acceptance variables relevant for the understanding of mobile phone (non-)usage patterns among users of feature phones and smartphones, as well as among mobile phone nonusers. The model is based on a hybrid approach with a two-step cluster analysis using data collected by a telephone survey from a representative sample (n = 1,581) of adults aged 55 or older in Slovenia in 2015. The analysis yielded two uniquely profiled clusters within each of the five a priori-determined segments, summing to a total of 10 clusters. The results show that older adults still prefer feature phones. Nevertheless, the mobile phone market has become highly heterogeneous, with clusters of older adults having distinguishable feature phone- and smartphone-use patterns as well as socio-demographic and life-course profiles. Since many of these profiles undermine the notion of older adults as "basic" mobile phone users, our findings represent a solid foundation for scholars and marketers to further investigate their specific needs in relation to more advanced smartphone and mobile internet usage.
COBISS.SI-ID: 35275869
Research into digital inequalities has shifted from a binary view of Internet use versus non-use to studying gradations in Internet use. However, this research has mostly compared categories of users only. In addition, the role of attitudes in digital inequalities has been largely overlooked. This article addresses these limitations by performing a systematic analysis of factors that distinguish low Internet users from non-users, regular users, and broad users. In addition to socio-demographic characteristics, we examine attitudinal variables. Results drawn from multinomial regressions indicate that attitudes play at least as large a role as socio-economic factors in determining the likelihood of belonging to specific (non-)user categories. This identifies positive attitudes toward technologies and the Internet as a crucial step toward Internet adoption. Hence, digital inequality research needs to consider factors other than traditional socio-economic ones to draw a complete picture.
COBISS.SI-ID: 33884509
The paper has been published in a handbook of online research methods by a recognized international publisher Sage. It gives an overview of a rapid expansion of web surveys and deals with their methodological issues. First, authors present the general context of computer-assisted survey information collection (CASIC) and then refer to technological aspects and innovation potentials of web surveys. Further, they focus on basic issues in web survey methodology such as sampling, recruiting, nonresponse problem, questionnaire design, post survey adjustments and statistical inference. In addition, authors deal with issues related to survey errors, costs and management, use of web surveys within mixed-mode survey systems and when mixing research methods, with ethics, guides and standards in the field of web survey methodology. Finally, the current and future applications, technological trends and research challenges are presented. Authors conclude with the statement that web surveys are probably the most revolutionizing contemporary innovation in the field of survey research.
COBISS.SI-ID: 34558813
Background: Internationalization of practical training in health and social care study programs is an important aspect of higher education. However, field mentors’ and classroom teachers’ competence in guiding culturally diverse students varies widely in European countries, and the majority does not have enough training in guiding foreign students. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the factors that contribute to enhancing the efficacy of international practical placement experiences in health and social care Design: A qualitative descriptive case study design was used. Settings: The study was conducted at six higher education institutions—two in Finland and one in Croatia, Estonia, the Netherlands and Slovenia. Participants: A convenience sample of 14 mentors, 15 teachers and 14 students with international experiences from six higher education institutions which are part of the Bologna Process was recruited. Methods: The data were collected from six focus groups using a semi-structured questionnaire based on a literature review. Each higher education institution conducted one focus group that was tape-recorded, transcribed and analyzed for themes. Results: Participants made several recommendations for enhancing the practical placement experience of students, teachers, and mentors. Most recommendations dealt with practical supervision of students. Three major themes noted were: ‘Attitudes towards internationalization of practical placements’, ‘Factors impacting the international placement experience’, and ‘Pedagogical methods used and structural support available for internationalization.’ Conclusions: The study highlights the need for strengthening the multicultural knowledge and skills of mentors and teachers. The findings provide practical guidelines for improving the international placement experience across health and social care fields.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1024179246