Response Rates for Mixed-Mode Surveys Using Mail and E-mail/Web

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick D. Converse ◽  
Edward W. Wolfe ◽  
Xiaoting Huang ◽  
Frederick L. Oswald
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Mode ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Web Survey ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Tailored Design ◽  
E Mail

This study examines response rates for mixed-mode survey implementation involving mail and e-mail/Web components. Using Dillman's Tailored Design Method, 1,500 participants were sent a survey either (a) via mail with a follow-up contact via e-mail that directed them to a Web-based questionnaire or (b) via e-mail that directed them to a Web-based questionnaire with a follow-up contact via mail. Results indicate that these mixed-mode procedures produce moderately high response rates. However, the mail survey tended to be more effective than the e-mail/Web survey, when serving either as the initial contact or as the follow-up contact. These results suggest that survey implementation involving mail followed by e-mail/Web, or even mail-only approaches, may result in larger samples than implementation involving e-mail/Web followed by mail.

scholarly journals Building on a Sequential Mixed-Mode Research Design in the Monitoring the Future Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E Patrick ◽  
Mick P Couper ◽  
Bohyun Joy Jang ◽  
Virginia Laetz ◽  
John E Schulenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Mode ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Web Survey ◽  
12Th Grade ◽  
Monitoring The Future ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Mailed Survey ◽  
The Web

Abstract Given the promise of the web push plus e-mail survey design for providing cost-effective and high-quality data (Patrick et al. 2018, 2019) as an alternative to a paper-and-pencil mailed survey design for the longitudinal Monitoring the Future (MTF) study, the current study sought to further enhance the web push condition. The MTF sample is based on US nationally representative samples of 12th grade students surveyed annually. The MTF control group for the current study included participants who completed the in-school baseline survey in the 12th grade and were selected to participate in their first follow-up survey in 2017 via mailed surveys (N = 1,222). A supplementary sample (N = ∼2,450) was assigned to one of the two sequential mixed-mode conditions. Those in condition 1 (N = 1,198), or mail push, were invited to complete mailed surveys and later given a web survey option. Those in condition 2 (N = 1,173), or enhanced web push, were invited to complete a web survey (the same as in the 2014 study, but with the addition of text messages and quick response (QR) codes and the web survey was optimized for mobile devices) and then later given a mailed survey option. Research aims were to examine response rates across conditions, as well as how responses were distributed across mode (paper, web), devices (computer, smartphone, table), and method of accessing the web survey (hand-entered URL, QR code, e-mail link, SMS link). Response rates differed significantly: the MTF control group was 34.2 percent, mail push was 35.4 percent, and enhanced web push was 42.05 percent. The higher response rate in the enhanced web push condition suggests that the additional strategies were effective at bringing in more respondents. Key estimates produced by the enhanced web push condition did not differ from those of the MTF control group.

scholarly journals Assessing Physician Response Rate Using a Mixed-Mode Survey

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn R Ahlers-Schmidt ◽  
Amy Chesser ◽  
Traci Hart ◽  
Jordan Jones ◽  
Katherine S Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Mixed Mode ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Primary Study ◽  
Willingness To Use ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Physician Response

Background. It is important to minimize time and cost of physician surveys while still achieving a reasonable response rate. Mixed-mode survey administration appears to improve response rates and decrease bias. A literature review revealed physician response rates to mixed-mode surveys averaged about 68%. However, no identified studies used the combination of e-mail, fax, and telephone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate physician response rates based on surveys first administered by e-mail, then fax, then telephone. Methods. Surveys initially were administered by e-mail to 149 physicians utilizing SurveyMonkey©. Two follow-up reminder e-mails were sent to non-respondents at two-week intervals. Surveys then were faxed to physicians who had not responded. A follow-up fax was sent to non-respondents one week later. Finally, phone interviews were attempted with physicians who had not responded by e-mail or fax; each physician was called at least twice. Results. Of the 149 eligible physicians, 102 completed the survey for a response rate of 68.5%. Of those who responded, 49 (48%) responded by e-mail, 25 (24.5%) by fax, and 28 (27.5%) by phone. Mode of response did not differ by gender, specialization, or years in practice. In addition, mode of response was not related to the primary study question, physician willingness to use text messaging for immunization reminders. Conclusions. This mix of survey methodologies appeared to be a feasible combination for achieving physician responses and may be more cost effective than other mixed methods.

Exploring the Impact of E-mail and Postcard Prenotification on Response Rates to a Mail Survey in an Academic Setting

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-103
Author(s):  
Leslie A. McCallister ◽  
Bobette Otto
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Impact Response ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Initial Mailing ◽  
Project Costs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Time Faculty

What techniques effectively and consistently impact response rates to a mail survey? No clear answer to this question exists, largely because variability in response rates occurs depending on the population of interest, questionnaire type, and procedures used by researchers. This article examines the impact of e-mail and postcard prenotification on response rates to a mail survey by using a population of university full-time faculty and staff. Comparisons were made among respondents who received a postcard prenotification, those who received an e-mail prenotification, and those who received no prenotification prior to the initial mailing of a questionnaire. Data show that e-mail prenotification had the largest impact on response rate, while postcard prenotification had the least impact. In addition, the use of e-mail prenotification reduced overall project costs (both time and money). We suggest that the uses and applicability of e-mail prenotification be further explored to examine both its initial and overall impact on response rate in populations utilizing an electronic environment.

scholarly journals Response Bias in a Mail Survey: An Example from a Land Use Study

1980 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-96
Author(s):  
Gregory K. White
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Response Bias ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Mail Surveys ◽  
The University

Researchers are well aware that each technique for administering surveys has its own advantages and disadvantages. Direct interviews, either by telephone or in person, have a relatively high cost per contact but usually result in a higher percentage of questionnaire completions and greater control of the response quality. Mail surveys can be conducted at a lower per unit cost but are often characterized by lower response rates and an overall poorer quality of completed questionnaires. Even with follow-up mailings, recent studies at the University of Maine suggest that response rates of 35 to 45 percent can be expected on general land use surveys or recreation studies.

scholarly journals Every Door Direct Mail in US survey research: An anonymous census approach to mail survey sampling

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 205979911986210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Grubert
Keyword(s):  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Direct Mail ◽  
Postal Service ◽  
United States Postal Service ◽  
Household Level

Mail surveys remain a popular method of eliciting attitudinal information, but declining response rates motivate inquiry into new, lower cost methods of contacting potential respondents. This work presents methodological findings from a medium-sized (~12,000 addresses) mail survey testing a United States Postal Service direct mail product called Every Door Direct Mail as a low-cost approach to anonymous mail survey distribution. The results suggest that under certain conditions, Every Door Direct Mail can be a useful approach for mail survey distribution, with response rates similar to those observed with analogous first-class mailing approaches but lower cost per response. As a tool for postal carrier-route saturation mailing that does not use names or addresses, Every Door Direct Mail is potentially useful for researchers who work in small, specific geographies or value or require anonymity. The results from this work suggest good performance on demographics and socially undesirable answers for Every Door Direct Mail relative to addressed mailings. The major disadvantages include an inability to conduct household-level probability sampling, an inability to customize nonresponse follow-up, and minimum mailing sizes associated with the postal carrier route saturation requirement. Every Door Direct Mail is unlikely to become a major tool for survey researchers, but it could be useful in niche applications. This study introduces Every Door Direct Mail to the survey methodology literature and presents empirical data intended to help researchers considering using Every Door Direct Mail.

Adding Postal Follow-Up to a Web-Based Survey of Primary Care and Gastroenterology Clinic Physician Chiefs Improved Response Rates but not Response Quality or Representativeness

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa R. Partin ◽  
Adam A. Powell ◽  
Diana J. Burgess ◽  
David A. Haggstrom ◽  
Amy A. Gravely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Response Quality

E‐mail survey response rates: targeting increases response

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Jackson ◽  
Ray DeCormier
Keyword(s):  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
E Mail

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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