Advantages and disadvantages of using the website SurveyMonkey in a real study: Psychopathological profile in people with normal-weight, overweight and obesity i a community sample

The purpose of this study is to examine whether web-based surveys may be an attractive alternative to traditional survey methods (postal surveys, paper and pencil questionnaires and telephone interviews) and analyzing their advantages and disadvantages through a real study.
An investigation to assess differences in personality dimensions, coping strategies and eating behaviour in a community sample (n=152) of normal-weight (n=101), overweight (n=30) and obese people (n=21). This research is presented here as an example using an online survey, which has been designed with the website SurveyMonkey.
Survey Monkey has provided some positive aspects, such as: easier access, avoidance of input and data coding errors, a faster distribution and saving time and cost. However, some negative characteristics have been detected, for instance: response rates and the length of the questionnaire.