zw: GESIS Panel.dbd Core Study Module – Web Tracking Data Collection Within the GESIS Panel.dbd

Study Code

zw

Version and date of last revision

Version 1; November 03, 2025

Study Title

GESIS Panel.dbd Core Study Module – Web tracking data collection within the GESIS Panel.dbd

Subject Classification

web tracking, recruitment, dbd

Keywords

web tracking, recruitment, dbd

Data Collection Waves

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Principal Investigators

Name(s) and affiliations of principal investigators at time of submission Persistent digital identifier(s) of principal investigator(s)
Joachim G. Piepenburg, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3354-447X
Frank Mangold, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9776-3113
Sebastian Stier, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences / University of Mannheim https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1217-5778
Judith Gilsbach, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5717-0758
Bernd Weiß, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1176-8408

Abstract

This study relates to recruitment endeavors from within the GESIS Panel.dbd into web tracking data collection using GESIS Web Tracking. GESIS Web Tracking is a browser plugin designed, continuously maintained, and provided by GESIS for capturing browser-based online behavior on desktop computers and laptops. The study mainly encompasses information and variables on eligibility criteria, consent and recruitment/reactivation experiments.

During various stages within the GESIS Panel.dbd, participants were invited to take part in web tracking studies. The first two recruitment endeavors took place in 2023 and were time-limited to 60 days of data collection. Invitations took place during panel waves. For the first two time-limited webtracking recruitments, incentive experiments were conducted. A 2x4 factorial design was employed with unconditional incentives (0, 5) and conditional incentives (0, 10, 25, 40) as factors.

In 2024, the first recruitment into permanent web tracking occured from within the wave lb. After initial recruitment into permanent web tracking, multiple recruitment attempts from within the panel were conducted either within waves or through email contact.

Measured constructs/concepts and corresponding data collection waves

Constructs/concepts Corresponding indicators (survey measures) Data Collection Waves
Mobile Devices Used for Internet Access Q: Mit welchen der folgenden Geräte benutzen Sie das Internet?
R:
  • Stationärer Computer/PC
  • Laptop
  • Tablet
  • Smartphone
  • Fernseher
  • Spielekonsole
  • E-Book-Reader
  • Anderes Gerät
Q: Which of the following devices do you use to access the Internet?
R:
  • Stationary Computer/PC
  • Laptop
  • Tablet
  • Smartphone
  • Television
  • Games Console
  • E-Book Reader
  • Other Device
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Browser Internet Use Q: Sie haben angegeben, dass Sie mit einem Laptop oder stationären PC ins Internet gehen. Welchen Browser benutzen Sie hauptsächlich um mit dem Laptop oder stationären PC ins Internet zu gehen?
R:
  • Firefox
  • Edge
  • Chrome
  • Einen anderen und zwar: ...
Q: You have indicated that you use a laptop or stationary PC to access the Internet. Which browser do you mainly use to access the Internet with your laptop or stationary PC?
R:
  • Firefox
  • Edge
  • Chrome
  • Another one, namely: ...
ka
Share Computer Q: Teilen Sie sich diesen Computer mit anderen Personen im Haushalt?
R:
  • Ja
  • Nein
Q: Do you share this computer with other people in the household?
R:
  • Yes
  • No
ka