Are web-based surveys the new epidemiological mode for healthcare research? - The Saudi perspective

Web-based surveys (WBS) are gaining popularity as simple, costeffective and rapid tools for data collection in healthcare research. The purpose of this exploratory study is to summarize the role of website-based survey (WBS) in gathering data for epidemiological research and review challenges facing WBSs in healthcare research. Electronic search in related literature for advantages, characteristics and performance of WBS was conducted. Special focus was placed on WBSs use in the Saudi context. The results indicated that WBSs are being employed increasingly in Healthcare research because of their accessibility, rapidity, reduced cost, less need for human resources and elimination of human errors. However, Paper-based surveys still possess higher response rates, accuracy and are more applicable for probability-sampling methods. Selection bias favoring young, educated and professional participants is associated with WBSs. Most Saudi studies sampled either healthcare professionals or students as the target population. Challenges specific to WBSs include: accessibility, representativeness of sampled population and multiple responses/unintended participants. Although WBSs do appear to be a contemporary alternative to traditional paper-based survey tools, more research is needed to optimize their applicability in different cultural contexts and for diverse pools of participants.