Mail Survey Response Rate and Bias: The Effect of Home versus Work Address

1977 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Mcginnis ◽  
Charles J. Hollon
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Questionnaire Item ◽  
Survey Response Rate ◽  
Professional Employees ◽  
At Home

A study was undertaken to ascertain whether the response rate and responses of a group of technically trained professional employees differed between those who received the questionnaire at work and those who received it at home. Response rates were found to be independent of address, and the frequency of questionnaire item significance was not significantly different from chance.

Response Rates and Perceived Questionnaire Length in Mail Surveys

1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L. Childers ◽  
O. C. Ferrell
Keyword(s):  
Interaction Effect ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Factorial Experiment ◽  
Mail Surveys ◽  
Survey Response Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was designed to test the impact on mail survey response rate resulting from variations in paper trim size and number of printed pages in the questionnaire. ANOVA findings suggest 8½ × 11″ paper trim size produces a better response rate than an 8½ × 14″ paper trim size. Use of a one-sheet (front and back) versus a two-sheet (front only) questionnaire did not cause a significant difference in response rate; a hypothesized interaction effect was not found to be statistically significant.

A $2 Bill or Two $1 Bills: An Experiment that Challenges Standard Protocol

Field Methods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-240
Author(s):  
Sarah Mills
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
The Other ◽  
Standard Protocol ◽  
Survey Response Rate ◽  
Survey Participation ◽  
To Receive

The $2 bill is commonly used as a prepaid incentive in survey administration. Despite the widespread use of this incentive, there is no peer-reviewed research into how providing a single $2 bill rather than two $1 bills affects survey response rate. The results are from a mail survey of 2,970 rural landowners in Michigan with identical survey protocols. Half were randomly assigned to receive a single $2 bill and the other half to receive two $1 bills accompanying the questionnaire. I found no statistical difference in the response rates of the two groups. While there may be logistical advantages to using a single $2 bill compared to two $1 bills, this research suggests that the $2 bill is not more effective at inducing survey participation.

The noneffect of three variables on mail survey response rate.

1973 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank J. Landy ◽  
Frederick Bates
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Survey Response Rate

Influence of Paper Color and a Monetary Incentive on Response Rate

2004 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 432-434 ◽  
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).

More on Self-Perception Theory's Foot Technique in the Pre-Call/Mail Survey Setting

1980 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris T. Allen ◽  
Charles D. Schewe ◽  
Gösta Wijk
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
The Self ◽  
Academic Researcher ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Perception Theory

A field experiment conducted in Sweden compared the effectiveness of two types of telephone pre-calls in influencing response rates in a mail survey. Response rates for a questioning foot-in-the-door manipulation were evaluated against responses produced by a simple solicitation call and a blind mailing control. The results demonstrate that pre-calling in general enhances response rate. However, the results furnish, at best, qualified support for a self-perception theory prediction. Alternative explanations for the lack of the self-perception foot effect are offered. Conclusions are drawn for the practitioner and academic researcher.

Can Choice of Letterhead Affect Your Mail Survey Response Rate?

1990 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela A. Weaver ◽  
Esther Chiu ◽  
Ken W. McCleary
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Survey Response Rate

Encouraging Physicians to Respond to Surveys through the Use of Fax Technology

2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly Y. Lensing ◽  
Stephen R. Gillaspy ◽  
Pippa M. Simpson ◽  
Stacie M. Jones ◽  
John M. James ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Pediatric Asthma ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Telephone Surveys ◽  
Survey Response Rate ◽  
Survey Participation

High response rates to surveys of physicians are difficult to achieve. One possible strategy to improve physicians’ survey participation is to offer the option of receiving and returning the survey by fax. This study describes the success of the option of fax communication in a survey of general practitioners, family physicians, and pediatricians in Arkansas with regard to pediatric asthma. Eligible physicians were given the choice of receiving the survey by telephone, mail, or fax. In this observational study, physicians’ preferences, response rates, and biases for surveys administered by fax were compared with mail and telephone surveys. The overall survey response rate was 59%. For the 96 physicians completing an eligibility screener survey, the largest percentage requested to be surveyed by fax (47%) rather than by telephone (28%) or mail (25%). Faxing may be one strategy to add to the arsenal of tools to increase response rates in surveying physicians.

Mail Survey Response Rate and Bias: The Effect of Home versus Work Address

1977 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. McGinnis ◽  
Charles J. Hollon
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Survey Response Rate

An Investigation into the Effects of Questionnaire Format and Color Variations on Mail Survey Response Rates

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Lagarce ◽  
Judith Washburn
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Color Design ◽  
Incentive Program ◽  
Questionnaire Version ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Monitoring Response

This study examines the effect on mail survey response rates of variations in questionnaire color and format. A follow-up mail survey to a corporate incentive program was sent to more than 3,500 participants. Monitoring response rates by questionnaire version showed that a user-friendly format, followed by a two-color design, significantly increased response rates. Question wording and sequencing remained the same across questionnaire versions while format and color varied. A literature review revealed three issues addressed by past studies—structural, functional, and incentive—that impact response rates. Previous studies have found no response rate increases due to altering the color of a questionnaire. However, this study found that a user-friendly format, and to some extent color, was valuable for increasing mail survey response rates. Implications for writers of all forms of communication are drawn.

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