For common instruments such as the CES-D , MADRS-S and HADS there is mounting evidence for adequate psychometric properties .
Background Online question naires for measuring common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders are increasingly used .
The psychometrics of several pen- and -paper question naires have been re-examined for online use and new online instruments have been developed and tested for validity as well .
This study aims to review and synthesis e the literature on this subject and provide a framework for future research .
Comparison of Internet-Based and Paper-Based Questionnaires in Taiwan Using Multisample Invariance Approach
This study examines whether the Internet-based question naire is psychometrically equivalent to the paper-based question naire . A r and om sample of 2,400 teachers in Taiwan was divided into experimental and control groups . The experimental group was invited to complete the electronic form of the Chinese version of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale ( CES-D ) placed on the Internet , whereas the control group was invited to complete the paper-based CES-D , which they received by mail . The multi sample invariance approach , derived from structural equation modeling ( SEM ) , was applied to analyze the collected data . The analytical results show that the two groups have equivalent factor structures in the CES-D. That is , the items in CES-D function equivalently in the two groups . Then the e quality of latent mean test was performed . The latent means of " depressed mood , " " positive affect , " and " interpersonal problems " in CES-D are not significantly different between these two groups . However , the difference in the " somatic symptoms " latent means between these two groups is statistically significant at alpha = 0.01 . But the Cohen 's d statistics indicates that such differences in latent means do not apparently lead to a meaningful effect size in practice . Both CES-D question naires exhibit equal validity , reliability , and factor structures and exhibit a little difference in latent means . Therefore , the Internet-based question naire represents a promising alternative to the paper-based question naire
For common instruments such as the CES-D , MADRS-S and HADS there is mounting evidence for adequate psychometric properties .
Background Online question naires for measuring common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders are increasingly used .
The psychometrics of several pen- and -paper question naires have been re-examined for online use and new online instruments have been developed and tested for validity as well .
This study aims to review and synthesis e the literature on this subject and provide a framework for future research .