Table 1

Design and methods of sexual risk behavior studies using web-based diaries

StudyDiary mediumDiary submission frequencyDiary collection periodPopulationSample size*Measures†CompensationMissing data
Baer et al, Winer et al29 49WebsiteBiweeklyUp to 3 yearsUniversity women821, 2, 3, 4, 8, 15$2 per diary, up to $4 per monthAccounted for in model
Wilson et al, Boone et al30 48WebsiteWeekly6 weeksMSM1581, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10Increased from $5 to $15 per diary over course of studyNot reported
Partridge et al, Edelstein et al31 45WebsiteBiweeklyUp to 1½ yearsUniversity men2402, 3, 4Not reportedMissingness discussed, no methods reported
Garry et al32EmailDaily1 monthUniversity students371, 3, 4$50 for study participationNot reported
Glick et al33WebsiteRandomised to twice weekly, weekly, biweekly, or no diary12 monthsMSM951, 2, 3, 4$1.50 per week of diariesImputation
Grov et al34WebsiteDaily1 monthMSM471, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7$1 per diary, with $10 bonus for completing ≥28 entriesAccounted for in model
Hensel et al 3Cell phoneThree times per day3 monthsSTI clinic population2433, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 16$1 per diary, plus free domestic calls, text messages and phone-based internetExcluded participants with missing data
Reece et al, Hensel et al36 46WebsiteDaily1 monthMen18751, 2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 1212 condoms; incentives valued up to $50–70Missingness discussed, no methods reported
Hensel et al 35WebsiteDaily1 monthMSM38771, 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 13Not reportedAccounted for in model
Horvath et al37WebsiteDaily1 monthMSM451, 2, 3, 4, 8$50 for study participationNot reported
Kiene et al, Kiene et al38 39WebsiteDaily1 monthUniversity students1161, 2, 5, 6Unspecified financial incentive prorated by diary completion; research creditNot reported
Lim et al2Randomised to website, text message, or paper diaryWeekly3 monthsYoung adults721, 2, 4$2 per paper/web or $3 per text message diary; $25 music store voucher for completing all diaries and follow-up surveyMissingness discussed, no methods reported
Mustanski, Mustanski, Mustanski40–42WebsiteDaily1 monthMSM1551, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10$1 per diary, with $10 bonus for completing ≥28 entriesExcluded participants with missing data
Newcomb, Newcomb and Mustanski43 44WebsiteWeekly3 monthsMSM1431, 2, 3, 5, 7, 13$60 prorated by diary completionExcluded participants with missing data
Strachman and Impett47WebsiteDaily2 weeksUniversity students751, 14Entry into lottery for $100 for completing ≥11 diaries; research creditNot reported

  • *For studies reported in multiple articles, the largest reported sample size is presented.

  • †Measures: (1) condom use; (2) partner type; (3) type of sex; (4) partner-specific data; (5) substance use; (6) mood; (7) partner HIV status; (8) partner name or initials; (9) sexual event location; (10) method of meeting partner; (11) lubrication use; (12) contraception; (13) partner age; (14) relationship satisfaction; (15) partner circumcision; (16) non-sexual behaviours.