Panel evolution: From online to hybrid. From opt-in to random.

We’ve been critically evaluating the field of online research. Probit was developed out of extensive research and development on the most scientific and reliable methods of recruiting a random probability sample for an online panel. All respondents are recruited by telephone using random digit dialing and are confirmed by live interviewers.

Surveys collected using the hybrid mode of Probit are collected using both the internet and the telephone.We determine which portion of Probit to place the panel member in, internet or phone-only, based on the authenticating call by our trained interviewers.  When a new member of Probit is first called by a live interviewer they are asked about internet usage.  If they do not use the internet they are included in the phone-only portion of Probit, otherwise an email address is obtained and they are included in the internet portion.  When it comes time to sample from Probit, we sample regionally, sub-regionally, and for key demographic areas based on the latest Census data on internet usage.