Innovations in On-Site Survey Administration: Using an iPad Interface at National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks

Abstract

Rapid advances in tablet technology and the increasing availability of electronic survey applications provide opportunities to streamline on-site human dimensions data collection. This article compares response rates and cost efficiencies of an iPad interface used for on-site survey administration to other types of human dimensions of wildlife survey administration response rates and expenses. Results also illustrate respondents' interface preference from a recent survey administered at National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks across the United States. Refuge and Park visitors enjoyed taking on-sitesurveys on iPads more than traditional paper surveys, and indicated a preference for taking future surveys on iPads instead of paper (t = 21.64, p < .001, η = .39); iPad survey administration was more cost efficient for large (over 1,350) survey samples, and garnered a higher than average response rate than online and mail surveys, but similar to average response rates for on-site intercept survey administration.

The influence of attitudes and perception of tree benefits on park management priorities

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Market and nonmarket valuation of North Carolina's tundra swans among hunters, wildlife watchers, and the public

“…We obtained our sample of hunters from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's tundra swan hunting permit database. We administered an in‐person survey of wildlife watchers in January 2015 ( n = 350) and used an intercept survey method to obtain a sample of wildlife watchers (Davis et al ). We gave the questionnaire to every person we saw enter either refuge and had the respondent complete and return it to us while we waited.…”

Just you wait… and fill out this survey. Discussion of the methodological aspects of waiting room surveys

“…Due to the fact that in WR surveys respondents are seated and stay within view of the surveyor, in these surveys it is possible to use tablets for digital completion. Although use of tablets has not demonstrated to increase response rates for on-site surveys, respondents do enjoy an electronic mode and prefer this mode over the traditional paper-and-pencil survey (Davis et al 2012;Fanning and McAuley 2014). The advantages of electronic administration over paper-and-pencil administration in terms of response rates may be greater for longer surveys; the more pages, the less likely respondents will comply.…”