Biographical note

Michael J. Stern (Ph.D. Washington State University) is a Methodology Fellow for NORC at the University of Chicago's Center for Excellence in Survey Research. His work has centered on reducing measurement error through testing the effects of visual design on respondents' answers in web and mail surveys. Over the past several years, he has been involved in the design and implementation of a number of web, mail, and telephone surveys, which have included many experimental treatments. Before joining NORC, Michael Stern held tenure-track academic appointments at the College of Charleston and Oklahoma State University. He researches how different segments of society use information and communication technologies, and what this means to future of web and other technology-based surveys. He has published over two-dozen articles on web use, survey research methods, quantitative methods in the social sciences, and political/civic engagement. He has edited two journal special issues dealing with methodological and social issues involved in understanding internet use.