IranPoll, which is the subdivision of VoxNations that focuses on Iran, has been a pioneer in conducting Probability Sample Online Surveys in Iran.

In this type of surveys, respondents are first recruited using our standard probability sample telephone survey method. After recruiting a nationally representative sample via telephone, each randomly recruited respondent is provided with an anonymous survey link that would expire after the respondent submits his/her answers.

While our standard CATI survey method produces a higher quality sample that is more representative of the Iranian population, and is hence the preferred method for most of our clients, our Probability Sample Online Surveys do have some advantages. The advantages of this method over our standard CATI surveys are:

1. Diminished social desirability effect

2. Diminished interviewer effect

3. Provides the respondent with greater sense of anonymity and privacy

4. Answers provided are generally more thoughtful

5. More appropriate for lengthier and/or more complex question

6. More appropriate for questions that require the respondent to make comparisons

7. More appropriate for conjoint analysis

8. Allows for utilization of visual aids

9. Allows for lengthier, more complex, and sentimentally rich responses to open-ended questions

One of the disadvantages of this method is that it has a lower contact rate, which does lead to an increased non-response bias. Moreover, this method excludes about 20% of the population who do not use the internet. While both of these issues could be ameliorated through post-stratification weighting, the problem that this sample will be biased in favor of (1) internet users and (2) those who are more self-motivated to participate in such research compared to our standard CATI surveys can never be fully resolved.