Social scientists theorize that the anonymity of the computer reduces the discomfort people feel when talking about health, personal habits, or sexual issues. Respondents approach independent stations, such as kiosks, read questions on screen, and key in their own responses. Surveys on disks are mailed out by researchers. Respondents complete the survey on their own computers and mail them back. Or, participants respond to an e-mail query by accessing a Web site and completing the interactive survey on the site.
Researcher uses random digit dialing to fax surveys to potential respondents' fax machines.
Respondents complete the form and fax it back. Researchers use random digit dialing to telephone potential respondents, ask questions as directed by computer, and key data directly into system.