scholarly journals Factors Affecting Response Rate and Response Speed in a Mail Survey of Part-Time University Students

1981 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-89
Author(s):  
Gwenna M. Moss

This paper reports the results of an experiment to determine the effects of questionnaire format, reminder format, and followup format on both response rate and response speed in a mail survey. Complete responses were received from 2212 of a sample of 2638 part- time university students, a rate of 83.8%. Mean response time was 16.09 days. Results indicated that: (1) typeset questionnaires were more effective than photocopied question- naires in terms of both response rate and speed; (2) the use of reminder postcards signifi- cantly increased both rate and speed; (3) there was no advantage in hand-addressed reminders over computer-produced labels; and (4) sending a replacement questionnaire as opposed to only a followup letter did not significantly increase response rate, but follow- up format interacted with questionnaire format in influencing response speed.

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas C Goldberg ◽  
Pascal Sciarini

Abstract This article assesses whether—and to what extent—turnout bias in postelection surveys is reduced by adding a short nonresponse follow-up (NRFU) survey to a mixed-mode survey. Specifically, we examine how the NRFU survey influences response propensities across demographic groups and political factors and whether this affects data quality. We use a rich dataset on validated voter turnout data, collected across two different ballots. In addition to the main survey that comprises computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) and web respondents, both studies include a short follow-up mail survey for nonrespondents. The results demonstrate that collecting extra information from additional respondents on so-called “central” questions is worth the effort. In both studies, the NRFU survey substantially increases representativeness with respect to sociodemographic and participation variables. In particular, voters and politically active citizens are more accurately represented in the NRFU survey. This tends to result in better estimates of turnout determinants in the final (combined) sample than is seen from CATI/web respondents only. Moreover, the increase in response rate and the decrease in nonresponse bias comes at almost no price in terms of measurement errors. Vote overreporting is only slightly higher in the mail follow-up survey than in the main CATI/web survey.


1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Lagarce ◽  
Judith Washburn

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.


2010 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-212
Author(s):  
James H. Price ◽  
Jagdish Khubchandani ◽  
Michele Bryant ◽  
Megan Rickard ◽  
Candace Hendershot ◽  
...  

Differences in response rates to a three-wave mail survey were assessed when the covering letters were signed by three versus one researcher. 375 surveys including covering letters signed by three researchers and 375 surveys including covering letters signed by one researcher were sent. A follow-up mailing was used to increase the response rate. 199 surveys were returned (53.5%) in which the covering letter had three researchers, and 218 when the covering letter had one researcher (58.7%), not a significantly different distribution.


1981 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles M. Futrell ◽  
Charles W. Lamb

To study response rate a total of 2,002 questionnaires were mailed to respondents who were allocated to one of seven treatments. One treatment was a control group who received only an initial mailing (questionnaire and cover letter). The remaining six treatments were defined by two crossed factors, the number of follow-up waves of mailings (one, two, or three) and whether the follow-up mailings included only a reminder letter or a letter and another copy of a questionnaire. The results suggest more than one follow-up with a questionnaire is needed. A letter only was an ineffective method.


2016 ◽  
pp. 54-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anh Doan Ngoc Phi

This study seeks to help fill an important gap in the literature by investigating factors that have facilitated the use of management accounting practices (MAPs) in Vietnam - a transitional economy. Data were collected from 220 medium-to-large enterprises. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 20 accounting heads/vice heads to obtain further information and clarification. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (including t-tests and structural equation modeling), while the qualitative data was used to shed further light on the various relationships described by the quantitative analysis. This paper reveals that both decentralization and competition have a positive, significant influence on the use of new MAPs except for the old ones. Consequently, the use of MAPs has a positive, significant influence on enterprise performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashis Talukder ◽  
Muhammad M. Hasan ◽  
Sheikh M. Shariful Islam

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