Paper or Plastic? Data Equivalence in Paper and Electronic Diaries

• Published in: Psychological methods Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 87 - 105
• Main Authors: Green, Amie S, Rafaeli, Eshkol, Bolger, Niall, Shrout, Patrick E, Reis, Harry T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Psychological Association 01.03.2006
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Bias; Compliance (Psychology); Computer Mediated Communication; Computers, Handheld - statistics & numerical data; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Diaries; Emotions; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Mathematical Computing; Measurement Techniques; Medical Records - statistics & numerical data; Paper (Material); Patient Compliance - statistics & numerical data; Psychological Studies; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Self-Assessment; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Validity; Writing

Concern has been raised about the lack of participant compliance in diary studies that use paper-and-pencil as opposed to electronic formats. Three studies explored the magnitude of compliance problems and their effects on data quality. Study 1 used random signals to elicit diary reports and found c...