scholarly journals Validating the demographic, political, psychological, and experimental results obtained from a new source of online survey respondents

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 205316801882217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Coppock ◽  
Oliver A. McClellan
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Data Collection Strategy ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Social Scientific ◽  
Experimental Treatments ◽  
Experimental Findings ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Researchers have increasingly turned to online convenience samples as sources of survey responses that are easy and inexpensive to collect. As reliance on these sources has grown, so too have concerns about the use of convenience samples in general and Amazon’s Mechanical Turk in particular. We distinguish between “external validity” and theoretical relevance, with the latter being the more important justification for any data collection strategy. We explore an alternative source of online convenience samples, the Lucid Fulcrum Exchange, and assess its suitability for online survey experimental research. Our point of departure is the 2012 study by Berinsky, Huber, and Lenz that compares Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to US national probability samples in terms of respondent characteristics and treatment effect estimates. We replicate these same analyses using a large sample of survey responses on the Lucid platform. Our results indicate that demographic and experimental findings on Lucid track well with US national benchmarks, with the exception of experimental treatments that aim to dispel the “death panel” rumor regarding the Affordable Care Act. We conclude that subjects recruited from the Lucid platform constitute a sample that is suitable for evaluating many social scientific theories, and can serve as a drop-in replacement for many scholars currently conducting research on Mechanical Turk or other similar platforms.

Personal digital archiving: influencing factors and challenges to practices

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghee Sinn ◽  
Sujin Kim ◽  
Sue Yeon Syn
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Internet Service ◽  
Digital Archiving ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the associations of personal archiving behaviors to factors and challenges that have been assumed to affect personal digital archiving strategies. Design/methodology/approach This study created an online survey to understand general patterns of personal digital archiving practices and related phenomena. The survey was employed to investigate to what extent people show a certain behavior or feel certain factors and challenge when archiving personal digital content. Findings Some of the findings of this study regarding specific personal digital archiving practices were in accordance with existing studies. However, the associations between digital archiving challenges and archiving practices were not observed statistically significantly as assumed in previous studies. General technology efficacy and the awareness of the importance of personal records appeared to influence personal archiving practices. Research limitations/implications This study used Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. As this is not a commonly used internet service, the workers here could have higher than average levels of internet efficacy. This possibility may have affected the demographics, and the survey responses may be biased in this respect. Practical implications As the study results suggest that technology efficacy and personal heritage awareness are the influencing factors of personal digital archiving, these are the areas where information professionals can involve in assisting users for future cultural heritage. Originality/value This is the first study that develops measures for personal digital archiving related practices and perceptions that the previous qualitative studies have identified. With these measures, it examines the general status of individuals’ archiving strategies and the overall associations of digital archiving challenges as well as looking into other technological and personal factors.

scholarly journals Dementia-Related Anxiety and General Illness Anxiety Differ Based on Familial Exposure to Persons With Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 283-284
Author(s):  
Erika Fenstermacher ◽  
Alexandria Ebert ◽  
Natalie Shook ◽  
Jerin Lee ◽  
Jenna Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Member ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Specific Form ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
Dementia Worry ◽  
Illness Anxiety ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Abstract Dementia-related anxiety is a specific form of illness anxiety that has been associated with familial exposure to persons with dementia (FMwDs). However, it is unknown whether FMwDs is specifically associated with dementia-related anxiety or whether it is also related to general illness anxiety, which has broader health implications. Furthermore, the level of exposure to family members with dementia may matter. Thus, we examined whether level of familial exposure to dementia was related to general illness anxiety and dementia-related anxiety. Participants (N = 401) aged 18-76 years (M = 39) recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk completed an online survey. Dementia exposure was split into three levels: (1) not knowing a friend/family member with dementia (55.2%); (2) knowing a family member with dementia (33.9%); and (3) providing care for a family member with dementia (10.9%). Familial exposure to dementia was related to both general illness anxiety and dementia-related anxiety. Participants who provided care for FMwDs had significantly higher levels of illness anxiety than both people who had a FMwD and people who did not (ps < .001). Similarly, participants who provided care for FMwDs had significantly higher levels of dementia-related anxiety than participants who did not have a FMwD (p < .01). Caregivers play a critical role in the quality of life of those with dementia, however it is clear that the potential psychological impact of such work is pervasive. This study provides a foundation to explore differences between illness anxiety and dementia worry, and examine interventions to reduce anxiety among caregivers.

scholarly journals Autism and online recruiting methods: A comparison of Mechanical Turk and discussion forums

First Monday ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Anderson ◽  
Nancy Everhart ◽  
Juliann Woods
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Sampling Frame ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Stakeholder Input ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

In a study by a team at the intersection of information and communication sciences and disorders, researchers worked to design an interactive, online professional development system for academic librarians to better serve students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In creating this program, it was imperative to have stakeholder input and support; recruiting members of this population, students with ASD, was critical. Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and online discussion forums, including Reddit, were used for recruitment for an online survey. While there was some overlap in results, there were also marked differences in responses based on online sampling frame. This paper details the online methods used for recruiting members of this community, and compares and contrasts success rates, challenges, and numbers associated with each method.

scholarly journals Empowerment or Threat: Perceptions of Childhood Sexual Abuse in the #MeToo Era

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052092578
Author(s):  
Melissa S. de Roos ◽  
Daniel N. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
Child Victims ◽  
Defensive Response ◽  
Threat Perceptions ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk ◽  
Shed Light

The rise of the #MeToo movement has shed light on the prominence of sexual violence, and its victims who often remain silent. Despite increasing awareness, victims or survivors of sexual violence who disclose may be faced with negative reactions such as disbelief or blame. Such reactions extend to child victims of sexual abuse. This study aimed to shed light on gender differences in responses to sexual violence against a backdrop of #MeToo. Through an online survey ( N = 253) on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, we assessed participants’ exposure to and perception of the #MeToo movement. In addition, we measured proximity to a victim or perpetrator of sexual violence. The effect of these variables on participants’ response to a disclosure of childhood sexual abuse was examined. Results indicated that men are more likely to perceive the movement as threatening than women. Furthermore, a discrepancy in proximity to sexual violence emerged, with women more likely to know a victim and men more likely to know a perpetrator. In response to a disclosure of childhood sexual abuse, men were more likely to respond in a skeptical manner than women. Positive perceptions of the #MeToo movement translated into more supportive responses to a disclosure. Proximity to a victim of sexual violence did not impact how people responded to a disclosure, but proximity to a perpetrator was associated with a more negative response. Although the aim of this movement is to give a voice to victims of sexual violence, it may trigger a defensive response from men, which makes them more skeptical toward disclosures of victimization.

Patients’ knowledge about pharmacists, technicians, and physicians

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (18) ◽  
pp. 1420-1425
Author(s):  
Evan K Perrault ◽  
Jenny L Beal
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Drug Education ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Pharmacy Profession ◽  
Pharmacy Technicians ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Abstract Purpose Including pharmacists within care teams can lead to positive health benefits, yet pharmacists remain underused. Misperceptions about pharmacists’ duties and expertise compared to physicians’ may contribute. This study sought to determine how well patients know the differences between pharmacists, technicians, and physicians regarding their duties and levels of education about medications. It also investigated how patients’ perceptions affect their likelihood to initiate interactions with pharmacists, as well as reasons why they choose not to speak with pharmacists. Methods An online survey of 477 U.S. adults was administered via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Participants’ knowledge of pharmacists’, pharmacy technicians’, and medical doctors’ education and expertise were measured. Logistic regression determined whether patients’ attitudes toward pharmacists predicted patient–pharmacist interactions. Participants’ reasons for choosing to not talk to pharmacists about their medications were assessed via an open-ended response. Results Patients generally know the duties pharmacists can perform compared to duties of technicians, but they incorrectly believe that physicians have more years of drug education than do pharmacists. Patients who have more positive attitudes toward pharmacists versus doctors are more likely to initiate interactions with pharmacists. Not seeing a need to interact, believing their doctors told them everything, or their ability to find information elsewhere (e.g., the Internet) were the 3 most cited reasons for not interacting with a pharmacist. Conclusion Reaching across disciplinary lines to colleagues in health communication may assist the pharmacy profession in finding ways to increase patients’ knowledge and perceptions about the important role pharmacists can play, thereby increasing the likelihood of patients wanting to interact with pharmacists.

How the operationalization of exposure impacts studies on direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-424
Author(s):  
Melanie R. Savelli
Keyword(s):  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk ◽  
Direct To Consumer Advertising

Purpose Without having a shared operationalization of what constitutes a direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) exposure, it is impossible to accurately generalize findings about their effects. First, it needs to be established how the variables involved in exposures impact outcomes. This will allow for more accurate operationalizations. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 216 participants were recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and randomly assigned into one of four conditions to take an online survey. A 2 × 2 experiment (active/passive attention × low/high exposure) was conducted to determine if the level of attention, otherwise known as attentiveness, and the number of exposures impacted preferences for a fictitious prescription sleep aid. Findings Results indicated a significant difference among active and passive conditions such that active exposures resulted in stronger positive preferences. Research limitations/implications Studies using different operationalizations should not be aggregated for generalizations about the effects of DTCA of prescription drugs. Originality/value This paper urges researchers to clearly operationalize their definitions for “exposure” and to be hesitant about generalizing findings studies using different definitions.

Reliability of MTurk Data From Masters and Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
Steven V. Rouse
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Standard Samples ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Approval Ratings ◽  
Cognitive Abilities Test ◽  
Elite Status ◽  
Master Status ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Abstract. Previous research has supported the use of Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) for online data collection in individual differences research. Although MTurk Masters have reached an elite status because of strong approval ratings on previous tasks (and therefore gain higher payment for their work) no research has empirically examined whether researchers actually obtain higher quality data when they require that their MTurk Workers have Master status. In two different online survey studies (one using a personality test and one using a cognitive abilities test), the psychometric reliability of MTurk data was compared between a sample that required a Master qualification type and a sample that placed no status-level qualification requirement. In both studies, the Master samples failed to outperform the standard samples.

Pediatric neurosurgery in Asia and Australasia: training and clinical practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101
Author(s):  
Ronnie E. Baticulon ◽  
Michael C. Dewan ◽  
Nunthasiri Wittayanakorn ◽  
Philipp R. Aldana ◽  
Wirginia J. Maixner
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Pediatric Neurosurgery ◽  
Income Group ◽  
Fellowship Training ◽  
Pediatric Epilepsy ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Survey Responses

OBJECTIVEThere are limited data on the pediatric neurosurgical workforce in Asia and Australasia. The training and clinical practice of pediatric neurosurgeons need to be characterized in order to identify gaps in knowledge and skills, thereby establishing a framework from which to elevate pediatric neurosurgical care in the region.METHODSAn online survey for pediatric neurosurgeons was created in REDCap (Research Electronic Database Capture), collecting demographic information and data on pediatric neurosurgical training and clinical practice. The link to answer the survey was sent to the mailing lists of the Asian Australasian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Japanese Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, disseminated during the 2019 Asian Australasian Pediatric Neurosurgery Congress, and spread through social media. The survey was open to neurosurgeons who operated on patients ≤ 18 years old in Asian Australasian countries, whether or not they had completed fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery. Descriptive statistics were computed and tabulated. Data were stratified and compared based on surgeon training and World Bank income group.RESULTSA total of 155 valid survey responses were analyzed, representing neurosurgeons from 21 countries. A total of 107 (69%) considered themselves pediatric neurosurgeons, of whom 66 (43%) had completed pediatric neurosurgery training. Neurosurgeons in East Asia commonly undergo a fellowship in their home countries, whereas the rest train mostly in North America, Europe, and Australia. A majority (89%) had operating privileges, and subspecialty pediatric training usually lasted from 6 months to 2 years. On average, trained pediatric neurosurgeons perform a higher number of pediatric neurosurgical operations per year compared with nonpediatric-trained respondents (131 ± 129 vs 56 ± 64 [mean ± SD], p = 0.0001). The mean number of total neurosurgical operations per year is similar for both groups (184 ± 129 vs 178 ± 142 [mean ± SD], p = 0.80). Respondents expressed the desire to train further in pediatric epilepsy, spasticity, vascular malformations, craniofacial disorders, and brain tumors.CONCLUSIONSBoth pediatric and general neurosurgeons provide neurosurgical care to children in Asia and Australasia. There is a need to increase pediatric neurosurgery fellowship programs in the region. Skill sets and training needs in pediatric neurosurgery vary depending on the country’s economic status and between pediatric-trained and nonpediatric-trained surgeons.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document