The paper mainly focuses on current questionnaire generation tools on the German-speaking market. Additionally, an introduction to internet-based research is given in Part One of this paper that will explain the differences between online surveys and online experiments and the choices of when and when not to conduct an experiment on the internet. It will also shortly introduce advantages and disadvantages of online research as well as the current standards that have been derived so far.
Part Two of the paper gives a short market analysis on the market of questionnaire generation tools with its suppliers and demanders, explaining the past and current development of the market as well as its future trend.
The main focus lies on the product analysis in Part Three. Comparative features that will be looked upon when analyzing different products will be derived from the standards, introduced in Part One of this paper. A choice of current suppliers and their products will be represented and the positioning of their products within the market explained. Two favored products are then compared in more detail according to features, usability and pricing scheme, presenting a short result from the comparison thereafter.
A summary will be given at the end that will recapitulate the results from the paper.
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. INTERNET-BASED RESEARCH – AN INTRODUCTION
1. INTERNET-BASED RESEARCH PROJECTS
i. Online Surveys
ii. Online Experiments
2. THE CHOICE OF WHEN TO CONDUCT AN EXPERIMENT ONLINE
3. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ONLINE RESEARCH
4. STANDARDS FOR ONLINE RESEARCH
III. MARKET ANALYSIS
1. PAST MARKET DEVELOPMENT
2. CURRENT MARKET STATE
i. Supply side
ii. Demand side
3. TRENDS
IV. PRODUCT ANALYSIS
1. COMPARATIVE FEATURES
2. CURRENT SUPPLIERS AND THEIR PRODUCTS
3. ANALYZING PERFORMANCE VIA SCORE POINTS
4. PRODUCT POSITIONING
5. GLOBALPARK VERSUS ASK4MORE – A COMPARISON
a. Features
b. Usability
c. Pricing scheme
d. Outcome
V. SUMMARY
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the current landscape of questionnaire generation tools within the German-speaking market. It aims to evaluate these software products against established research standards to determine their suitability for professional empirical and market research.
- Evolution of internet-based research methods (surveys vs. experiments)
- Development and current state of the questionnaire software market
- Definition of quality standards for online research tools
- Comparative performance analysis of various commercial and non-commercial products
- In-depth evaluation of pricing models and software usability
Excerpt from the Book
1. Internet-based research projects
In the beginning of the mid-nineties of the 20th century, using the World Wide Web as a method of research was the choice of only a small number of first movers among experimental researchers. Ten years later “we are in the midst of an Internet revolution in experimental research” (Reips, 2002a, p.243). However, what does “internet-based research” mean? To begin with, it is important to mention that several terms are used simultaneously: web research, online research, internet research, web-based research, World Wide Web research. Historically, as for the example of the term “web experiments”, the term “web” was the first term used. On the other hand, the terms “internet-based research” or “internet-based experiments” do also include internet services such as e-mail, telnet, ftp or messengers for communication (e.g. ICQ, MSN Messenger) that are no web services as such due to their definition and functionality.
What this paper focuses on, is research done in the World Wide Web via a web browser using the web as the underlying tool. However, due to the fact that many authors use the term “online” for describing the above mentioned version of research, this paper will adapt this term analogously. In the further paper “online research”, “online surveys” and “online experiments” will thus refer to research, surveys or experiments conducted in the World Wide Web using the web with the help of a web browser.
Summary of Chapters
I. INTRODUCTION: Provides context for the rapid development of the internet as a research medium and identifies the need for transparency in the emerging software market.
II. INTERNET-BASED RESEARCH – AN INTRODUCTION: Defines core terminology and discusses the scientific requirements for online research, including the distinction between surveys and experiments.
III. MARKET ANALYSIS: Reviews the history, supply-demand structure, and future trends of the software market for questionnaire generation tools.
IV. PRODUCT ANALYSIS: Presents the primary empirical investigation, benchmarking various software tools based on technical features, usability, and business models.
V. SUMMARY: Recapitulates the findings, highlighting the current lack of transparency in the market and the necessity for further consolidation and adherence to scientific standards.
Keywords
Online Research, Questionnaire Generation Tools, Internet-based Experiments, Online Surveys, Market Analysis, Software Standards, Data Quality, Validity, E-Business, Empirical Research, Software Evaluation, Usability, Pricing Models, Web Research, Globalpark
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the current market of questionnaire generation tools in the German-speaking region, evaluating them based on their ability to meet scientific standards for online research.
What are the central thematic fields covered in the work?
The work covers internet-based research methodology, the evolution of the software market, and a comparative performance analysis of various commercial and non-commercial survey tools.
What is the main goal or research question?
The main goal is to assess whether existing software products meet the technical and scientific requirements necessary to ensure high-quality data and validity in online research.
Which scientific methods were utilized for this analysis?
The author utilized a comparative feature analysis, developed a standardized scoring system (based on Reips' research standards), and conducted a portfolio analysis of available commercial and non-commercial products.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body examines the history of the software market, defines criteria for "good" software, lists evaluated products in technical tables, and provides a comparative deep-dive between two market leaders.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Online Research, Questionnaire Generation Tools, Data Quality, Software Standards, and Market Analysis.
Why is "lacking transparency" described as a key market characteristic?
The paper notes that the market is still in its infancy; there is no central directory of reliable suppliers, and many companies do not actively market their software features effectively, making it difficult for researchers to choose the right tool.
How does the author evaluate Globalpark and ask4more specifically?
The author performs a comparative analysis on features, usability, and pricing. Globalpark's umfragecenter 4.0 is cited as the functionality leader, while ask4more's ask4server is recognized as a high-quality, evolving product.
What role does the "score point" analysis play?
It provides an objective, quantitative basis to compare diverse software products on a level playing field, measuring them against a common set of 22 functional requirements.
- Quote paper
- Nicole Petrick (Author), 2006, Current Questionnaire Generation Tools - A Market and Product Overview, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73652
