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Lois A. Ritter

Bio: Lois A. Ritter is an academic researcher from California State University, East Bay. The author has contributed to research in topics: Survey data collection & Online research methods. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 18 publications receiving 1222 citations.

Papers
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Book
23 Nov 2011
TL;DR: This chapter discusses the design and development of the Survey Instrument, and the challenges faced in processing and Analyzing the Survey Data.
Abstract: Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Planning the Digital Survey Chapter 3 Sampling Chapter 4 Writing Survey Questions Chapter 5 Designing and Developing the Survey Instrument Chapter 6 Conducting the Survey Chapter 7 Processing and Analyzing the Survey Data Chapter 8 Reporting the Survey Results Chapter 9 Concluding Comments Appendix A: American Association for Public Opinion Research, Code of Ethics Appendix B: Commonly Used Survey Questions

1,059 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors' empirical findings offer specific items that can be used in evaluating recovery-oriented systems of care that extend beyond substance use and encompass elements such as those examined here--e.g., self-care, concern for others, personal growth, and developing ways of being that sustain change in substance use.
Abstract: Objective:Although recovery increasingly guides substance use disorder services and policy, definitions of recovery continue to lack specificity, thereby hindering measure development and research. The goal of this study was to move the substance use disorders field beyond broad definitions by empirically identifying the domains and specific elements of recovery as experienced by persons in recovery from diverse pathways.Method:An Internet-based survey was completed by 9,341 individuals (54% female) who self-identified as being in recovery, recovered, in medication-assisted recovery, or as having had a problem with alcohol or drugs (but no longer do). Respondents were recruited via extensive outreach with treatment and recovery organizations, electronic media, and self-help groups. The survey included 47 recovery elements developed through qualitative work followed by an iterative reduction process. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using split-half samples, followed by sensitivi...

145 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This chapter describes the benefits and limitations of using online surveys and the conditions under which this data collection method may be appropriate for evaluation.
Abstract: This chapter describes the benefits and limitations of using online surveys and the conditions under which this data collection method may be appropriate for evaluation. It also covers how online surveys can be used during stages of the evaluation process as well as ethical considerations in using this methodology.

57 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this chapter, the discussion about data collection with the focus on selecting a sample is begun, and sample types are explained, and concerns related to sampling in using online surveys are discussed.
Abstract: In this chapter, we begin our discussion about data collection with the focus on selecting a sample. Sample types are explained, and concerns related to sampling in using online surveys are discussed.

31 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this chapter, development of the online survey questionnaire is described, including organization, layout, formatting, and response formats.
Abstract: In this chapter, we describe development of the online survey questionnaire, including organization, layout, formatting, and response formats.

31 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a pragmatic introduction to designing and using research questionnaires for novice researchers such as those engaged in study for a thesis, or in another small-scale research project.
Abstract: Purpose – This article aims to draw on experience in supervising new researchers, and the advice of other writers to offer novice researchers such as those engaged in study for a thesis, or in another small-scale research project, a pragmatic introduction to designing and using research questionnaires. Design/methodology/approach – After a brief introduction, this article is organized into three main sections: designing questionnaires, distributing questionnaires, and analysing and presenting questionnaire data. Within these sections, ten questions often asked by novice researchers are posed and answered. Findings – This article is designed to give novice researchers advice and support to help them to design good questionnaires, to maximise their response rate, and to undertake appropriate data analysis. Originality/value – Other research methods texts offer advice on questionnaire design and use, but their advice is not specifically tailored to new researchers. They tend to offer options, but provide lim...

425 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Abstract: This research explores literacy teachers’ perceptions of integrating information communication technologies (ICTs) into literacy instruction. To this end, a national survey of 1,441 literacy teachers in the United States was conducted. The survey provided data concerning the types and levels of reported availability and use of ICTs, beliefs about the importance of integrating ICTs into literacy instruction, and perceived obstacles to doing so. The analysis of data included descriptive statistics, an exploratory factor analysis, and a path analysis used to test a model hypothesizing a relation between teachers’ perceived importance of technology and reported levels of integration. Results revealed relatively low levels of curricular integration, consistent perceptions about obstacles to integration, and technological rather than curricular definitions of ICTs and of integration. The path analysis suggested several characteristics and influences associated with higher levels of integration and use. The findings advance understanding of the extent to which ICTs are being integrated into literacy instruction and what factors should be considered toward profitably increasing integration consistent with expanding definitions of literacy.

338 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There is evidence that social media can be the best recruitment method for hard-to-reach populations and observational studies, but only 12 studies out of 30 found social media to be the most effective recruitment method.
Abstract: Background: Recruiting an adequate number of participants into medical research studies is challenging for many researchers. Over the past 10 years, the use of social media websites has increased in the general population. Consequently, social media websites are a new, powerful method for recruiting participants into such studies. Objective: The objective was to answer the following questions: (1) Is the use of social media more effective at research participant recruitment than traditional methods? (2) Does social media recruit a sample of research participants comparable to that recruited via other methods? (3) Is social media more cost-effective at research participant recruitment than traditional methods? Methods: Using the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE databases, all medical research studies that used social media and at least one other method for recruitment were identified. These studies were then categorized as either interventional studies or observational studies. For each study, the effectiveness of recruitment, demographic characteristics of the participants, and cost-effectiveness of recruitment using social media were evaluated and compared with that of the other methods used. The social media sites used in recruitment were identified, and if a study stated that the target population was “difficult to reach” as identified by the authors of the study, this was noted. Results: Out of 30 studies, 12 found social media to be the most effective recruitment method, 15 did not, and 3 found social media to be equally effective as another recruitment method. Of the 12 studies that found social media to be the best recruitment method, 8 were observational studies while 4 were interventional studies. Of the 15 studies that did not find social media to be the best recruitment method, 7 were interventional studies while 8 were observational studies. In total, 8 studies stated that the target population was “hard-to-reach,” and 6 of these studies found social media to be the most effective recruitment method. Out of 14 studies that reported demographic data for participants, 2 studies found that social media recruited a sample comparable to that recruited via traditional methods and 12 did not. Out of 13 studies that reported cost-effectiveness, 5 studies found social media to be the most cost-effective recruitment method, 7 did not, and 1 study found social media equally cost-effective as compared with other methods. Conclusions: Only 12 studies out of 30 found social media to be the most effective recruitment method. There is evidence that social media can be the best recruitment method for hard-to-reach populations and observational studies. With only 30 studies having compared recruitment through social media with other methods, more studies need to be done that report the effectiveness of recruitment for each strategy, demographics of participants recruited, and cost-effectiveness of each method. [J Med Internet Res 2016;18(11):e286]

317 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
14 Apr 2015-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: There is a statistical difference between results obtained from participants recruited through AMT compared to the results from the participant recruited on campus or through online forums, and this may suggest that AMT is a viable and economical option for recruiting participants and for conducting studies.
Abstract: Computer and internet based questionnaires have become a standard tool in Human-Computer Interaction research and other related fields, such as psychology and sociology. Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (AMT) service is a new method of recruiting participants and conducting certain types of experiments. This study compares whether participants recruited through AMT give different responses than participants recruited through an online forum or recruited directly on a university campus. Moreover, we compare whether a study conducted within AMT results in different responses compared to a study for which participants are recruited through AMT but which is conducted using an external online questionnaire service. The results of this study show that there is a statistical difference between results obtained from participants recruited through AMT compared to the results from the participant recruited on campus or through online forums. We do, however, argue that this difference is so small that it has no practical consequence. There was no significant difference between running the study within AMT compared to running it with an online questionnaire service. There was no significant difference between results obtained directly from within AMT compared to results obtained in the campus and online forum condition. This may suggest that AMT is a viable and economical option for recruiting participants and for conducting studies as setting up and running a study with AMT generally requires less effort and time compared to other frequently used methods. We discuss our findings as well as limitations of using AMT for empirical studies.

254 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Both system quality and information quality were found to be important precursors of brand awareness in OSNs, and study results support the importance of social media in online branding strategies.

217 citations