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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Internet data collection is becoming increasingly popular in all research fields dealing with human perceptions,
behaviors and opinions. Advantages of internet data collection, when compared to the traditional
paper-and-pencil format, include reduced costs, automatic database creation, and the absence of
researcher-related bias effects, such as availability and complete anonymity. However, the validity and
reliability of internet gathered data must be established, in comparison to the usual paper-and-pencil
accepted formats, before an inferential analysis can be done. In this study, we compared questionnaire
data gathered from the internet with that from the traditional paper-and-pencil in a sample of college
students. The questionnaires used were the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Student Survey (MBI-SS), the
Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OBI-SS) and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI-SS). Data was gathered
through a within-subject cross randomized and counterbalanced design, on both internet and
paper-and-pencil formats. The results showed no interference in the application order, and a good reliability
for both formats. However, concordance between answers was generally higher in the paperand-
pencil format than on the internet. The factorial structure was invariant in the three burnout inventories.
Data gathered in this study supports the Internet as a convenient, user-friendly, comfortable and
secure data gathering method which does not affect the accepted factorial structures existent in the
paper format of the three burnout inventories used.
Description
Keywords
Internet questionnaires Paper-and-pencil questionnaires Reliability Validity Student Burnout
Citation
Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 1875-1883