Internet Surveys in Fisheries Management and Research: Potential Benefits and Pitfalls

Internet surveys have the potential to provide an exciting new venue for the collection of human dimensions and fisheries data, but are characterized by their own unique disadvantages that researchers need to consider.  Internet surveys offer researchers the opportunity to collect large samples at a much cheaper price than traditional mail and telephone surveys thanks to automation of data entry, and near instantaneous delivery of survey materials.  However, internet surveys currently suffer from potentially severe coverage error depending on the study population of interest.  As of 2010, only 77% of Americans were estimated to be internet users with the portion by state varying from 59% (MS) to 90% (NH).  Internet users are more likely to be better educated and wealthier on average than the national average, and the growing “internet divide” between White and non-White communities threatens to further marginalize historically under-represented groups in the fisheries management process.  These and other issues are forcing researchers to conclude that the use of mixed method surveys that combine internet surveys with traditional mail and telephone surveys of initial non-respondents will be  necessary until greater internet coverage can be achieved.