2010/08/16 by Frederik Funke, Ulf-Dietrich Reips, Ulf‐Dietrich Reips +1 · 1 citation
Decision Sciences · Social Sciences · #Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods #Survey Methodology and Nonresponse #Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
paper · doi:10.1177/0894439310376896
openalex publication_date 2010/08/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Slider scales and radio buttons scales were experimentally compared in horizontal and vertical orientation. Slider scales lead to statistically significantly higher break-off rates (odds ratio = 6.9) and substantially higher response times. Problems with slider scales were especially prevalent in participants with less than average education, suggesting the slider scale format is more challenging in terms of previous knowledge needed or cognitive load. An alternative explanation, technology-dependent sampling (Buchanan & Reips, 2001), cannot fully account for the current results. The authors clearly advise against the use of Java-based slider scales and advocate low-tech solutions for the design of Web-based data collection. Orientation on screen had no observable effect on data quality or usability of rating scales. Implications of item format for Web-based surveys are discussed.