is a scientific consultant and researcher working in the area of survey methodology, especially web surveys at GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences in Mannheim, Germany. (Show location)

List of publications, presentations, invited talks and CV

Selected Research and Work

• Kaczmirek, L. (2009). Human-Survey Interaction: Usability and Nonresponse in Online Surveys. Cologne: Halem Verlag.
• Kaczmirek, L. (2008). Human-Survey Interaction: Usability and Nonresponse in Online Surveys. University of Mannheim: MADOC.
  Abstract: Response rates are a key quality indicator of surveys. The human-survey interaction framework developed in this book provides new insight in what makes respondents leave or complete an online survey. Many respondents suffer from difficulties when trying to answer survey questions. This results in omitted answers and abandoned questionnaires. Lars Kaczmirek explains how applied usability in surveys increases response rates. Here, central aspects addressed in the studies include error tolerance and useful feedback. Recommendations are drawn from seven studies and experiments. The results report on more than 33,000 respondents sampled from many different populations such as students, people above forty, visually impaired and blind people, and survey panel members. The results show that improved usability significantly boosts response rates and accessibility. This work clearly demonstrates that human-survey interaction is a cost-effective approach in the overall context of survey methodology.
• Kaczmirek, L. (2008). Internet Survey Software Tools, in N. Fielding, R. Lee, & G. Blank (eds.), The Sage Handbook of Online Research Methods, London: Sage, pp. 236-254.
  The chapter provides a thorough discussion of valuable software features organized into the phases of conducting an online survey, including set-up, data collection, and reporting. An extra section explains how ethical standards and data protection laws need to be considered in the software architecture. Because of its recommendations for different types of users, the chapter is suitable for both beginners and professionals.
• Usability and Accessibility in Online Surveys, e.g. Survey Design for Visually Impaired and Blind People
• A Framework for the Collection of Universal Client Side Paradata (UCSP)
• Information portal Web Survey Methodology Site (WebSM). Project which was funded by the European Union.
  
• Consultation and evaluation of Internet Survey Software
• Effects and Calculation of Progress Indicators in Web Surveys
• Optimizing Search Engine Result Pages