Effects of survey response mode, purported topic, and incentives on response rates in human dimensions of fisheries and wildlife research

The use of email and fax communications has increased dramatically over the last decade. They are now commonplace methods of information exchange. Most research involving questionnaires has used postal mail to deliver and return the surveys from recipients who might not otherwise be reached through live administration. A frequent methodological issue with mail surveys is low levels of return rates. The present research compared the return rates of a survey that was sent by mail, email or fax. Participants could return the survey by any of the same three methods. The results showed that postal mail and email exhibited higher return rates than facsimiles and that the method of return tended to be the same method in which the questionnaire was originally sent. Implications of these results for survey research are discussed.

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Increasing web survey response rates in innovation research: An experimental study of static and dynamic contact design features

Research Policy ◽

10.1016/j.respol.2012.05.003 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 273-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 132

Author(s):

Henry Sauermann ◽

Michael Roach

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Dynamic Contact ◽

Response Rates ◽

Survey Response ◽

Web Survey ◽

Design Features ◽

Innovation Research

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Tone of Postcards in Increasing Survey Response Rates

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.94.2.444-448 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 444-448 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

James H. Price ◽

Faith Yingling ◽

Eileen Walsh ◽

Judy Murnan ◽

Joseph A. Dake

Keyword(s):

Elementary School ◽

Response Rates ◽

Survey Response ◽

Third Wave ◽

Chi Square ◽

Mail Surveys ◽

The Third ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Chi Square Test ◽

Second Wave

This study assessed differences in response rates to a series of three-wave mail surveys when amiable or insistently worded postcards were the third wave of the mailing. Three studies were conducted; one with a sample of 600 health commissioners, one with a sample of 680 vascular nurses, and one with 600 elementary school secretaries. The combined response rates for the first and second wave mailings were 65.8%, 67.6%, and 62.4%, respectively. A total of 308 amiable and 308 insistent postcards were sent randomly to nonrespondents as the third wave mailing. Overall, there were 41 amiable and 52 insistent postcards returned, not significantly different by chi-square test. However, a separate chi-square test for one of the three studies, the nurses' study, did find a significant difference in favor of the insistently worded postcards.

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Role of survey response rates on valid inference: an application to HIV prevalence estimates

Emerging Themes in Epidemiology ◽

10.1186/s12982-018-0074-x ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Miguel Marino ◽

Marcello Pagano

Keyword(s):

Response Rates ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

Survey Response ◽

Valid Inference ◽

Prevalence Estimates

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Influence of Paper Color and a Monetary Incentive on Response Rate

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.95.2.432-434 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 95 (2) ◽

pp. 432-434 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Keith A. King ◽

Jennifer L. Vaughan

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Response Rate ◽

Athletic Trainers ◽

Response Rates ◽

Monetary Incentive ◽

Survey Response ◽

Green Paper ◽

Survey Response Rate

This study examined whether survey response rate differed based on the color of the paper the survey was printed on (blue vs green) and presence of a monetary incentive. A 4-page survey on eating disorders was mailed to Division 1A and 1AA college head athletic trainers ( N = 223) with half of the surveys on blue paper and half on green paper. Half of the athletic trainers ( n = 111) received a $1.00 monetary incentive, and half ( n = 112) received no monetary incentive. A total of 166 (71%) athletic trainers returned completed surveys. Response rates did not differ based on survey color but did differ based on presence of a monetary incentive. Athletic trainers who received a monetary incentive were significantly more likely than those who did not to return completed surveys (86% vs 63%, respectively).

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