While the choice of matrix versus item-by-item questions has received considerable attention in the literature, it is still unclear in what situation one is better than the other. Building upon the previous findings, this study expands this line of research by examining whether the difference between the two question types is moderated by the number of response options. Through a web survey experiment, this study compares matrix and item-by-item questions with 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11 response options. Additionally, we also investigate the impact of the device used to complete the survey on data quality. The results show that straight lining and response time are similar between the two question types across all response lengths, but item nonresponse tends to be higher for matrix than item-by-item question, especially among mobile respondents. Also measurement models reveal measurement equivalence between the two question types when there are fewer than seven response options. For matrices with 9 or 11 response options, analyses reveal substantial differences compared to item-by-item questions. Keywords matrix question, item-by-item question, web survey, survey experiment, data qualityAs more and more surveys are moving to online completion, be it by PC or mobile, survey researchers are striving to decrease the respondent burden without sacrificing data quality. One of the many important decisions in this sense is the use of grid questions. When asking multiple questions using the same set of response options, researchers often have two choices: either format them as item-byitem questions (asking them item by item) or group them into a matrix (also called grid) format and present them together. While the latter is more succinct, it can impact data quality (e.g., see Couper, Traugott, & Lamias, 2001).
Leather processing for commercial purposes involves going through a set of complex and laborious operations, resulting in over 70% waste relative to the initial feedstock; a quarter of this waste is produced in Europe. Worldwide there are about 36,000 companies active in this sector, generating a turnover of almost 48 billion euros. As in any industrial sector, waste recovery is a highly researched topic, with alternatives for its use being constantly considered. One of the most interesting solutions to this problem consists of using part of the waste for power applications. For instance, the 10% fats from total animal waste could well be employed to power diesel engines, both in raw state or as biodiesel. The remainder, which contains mostly proteins, can be exploited to obtain biogas through anaerobic digestion. This paper presents the results of experimental determinations on the combustion of animal fats and compares it to other biofuels, such as vegetable oils and solid biomass. The advantages of co-firing hydrogen-rich gas (HRG) and vegetable biomass are also analyzed. According to the presented results, combustion of the investigated fuels has a lower impact on the environment, with the concentration of pollutants in the flue gases being low. Thus, the paper proves that all the proposed solutions are ecological alternatives for biomass exploitation for energy recovery purposes, based on comparing the results in terms of pollutant emissions. This paper provides qualitative and quantitative perspectives on multiple alternatives of energy recovery from biomass resources, while also briefly describing the methods and equipment used to this end.
Mixed-mode designs are increasingly important in surveys, and large longitudinal studies are progressively moving to or considering such a design. In this context, our knowledge regarding the impact of mixing modes on data quality indicators in longitudinal studies is sparse. This study tries to ameliorate this situation by taking advantage of a quasi-experimental design in a longitudinal survey. Using models that estimate reliability for repeated measures, quasi-simplex models, 33 variables are analyzed by comparing a single-mode CAPI design to a sequential CATI-CAPI design. Results show no differences in reliabilities and stabilities across mixed modes either in the wave when the switch was made or in the subsequent waves. Implications and limitations are discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.