How to approach online surveys when you have no clear hypothesis to test?

1. When can you or can you not use e surveys?
2. Why use web based questionnaires?
3. How does a survey work?

When can you or can you not use e surveys?

Scenarios unsuitable for a Web-based survey:

Target group is under-represented on Internet, e.g., underprivileged or elderly people. Target group is concerned, however unreasonably, about privacy aspects. Target group requires substantial incentives to complete the survey. Need for a representative sample.

Why use web based questionnaires?

The main advantages of web-surveys are their low cost and potential quick access to data and their allowance of respondents to complete the questionnaire whenever and wherever they prefer with the use of different platforms, such as computer or mobile devices [2, 3].

How does a survey work?

There are two main types of survey: A questionnaire, where a list of questions is distributed by mail, online or in person, and respondents fill it out themselves. An interview, where the researcher asks a set of questions by phone or in person and records the responses.