Best of Both Worlds?: Can we make convenience samples representative?

This paper discusses the reliability of online panel data, considering the issue of sample bias by examining different methods of selecting and weighting samples from panels.

Best of Both Worlds?: Can we make convenience samples representative?

Pete Doe and Robert SmithNielsen

Introduction/Background

How good are online convenience panels? They are certainly an economical and quick way of getting research data. Many companies have large respondent panels recruited online that can be contacted cheaply and quickly to provide survey insights such as voting intention, consumer product purchase behavior and attitudes towards cable TV programs. The ability to collect data cheaply and quickly is valuable, but are the results accurate and actionable? It is well known that these samples contain the possibility of significant selection...

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