• Hiew M
• Kwong DSLT
• Mok Z
• Tee YH

• Affiliation / AECC University College
• Affiliation(G) / England / Bournemouth
• Data Collection / methods
• Infant / statistics and numerical data
• Mothers / statistics and numerical data
• Open Access Document
• Surveys and Questionnaires / methods

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the preferred method of data collection, paper or electronic for mothers completing a validated infant outcomes instrument, the United Kingdom Infant Questionnaire.

Methods: Mothers of children aged 0-12months were asked to complete the questionnaire in both paper and electronic formats. The mother was then given another form to select her preferred type of survey. Results: In all, 51 mothers participated; 35 (69%) preferred the electronic questionnaire, 11 (21%) preferred the paper version and 5 (10%) felt neither one was better. Comments included that electronic form was easier and it was better to save the trees.

Conclusion: Although the number was small, this study showed that electronic-based questionnaires were preferred by mothers of infants. With the progression of technology, electronic questionnaires could be considered a more efficient method for collecting important data, without loss due to patient or parent preferences.

Author affiliation: AECC University College, Bournemouth, United Kingdom

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