scholarly journals Best Practices for Survey Research Reports Revisited: Implications of Target Population, Probability Sampling, and Response Rate

2009 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 142 ◽  
Author(s):  
JoLaine Reierson Draugalis ◽  
Cecilia M. Plaza
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael R Moraes ◽  
Marcos B Correa ◽  
Ândrea Daneris ◽  
Ana B Queiroz ◽  
João P Lopes ◽  
...  

In this study, we describe and evaluate a method for reaching a target population (i.e., dentists practicing in Brazil) to engage in survey research using traditional e-mail invites compared with recruitment campaigns created on Instagram. A pre-tested questionnaire was used and participants were recruited for 10 days via a source list of email addresses and two discrete Instagram organic open campaigns. A total of 3,122 responses were collected: 509 participants were recruited by email (2.1% response rate) and 2,613 by the two Instagram campaigns (20.7% and 11.7% conversion rates), respectively. Response/min collection rates in the first 24 h ranged between 0.23 (email) and 1.09 (first campaign). In total, 98.8% of all responses were received in the first 48 h for the different recruitment strategies. There were significant differences for all demographic variables (p<0.001) between email and Instagram respondents, except for sex (p=0.373). Instagram respondents were slightly older, had more professional experience (years in practice), and a higher graduate education level than email respondents. Moreover, most email and Instagram respondents worked in the public sector and private practice, respectively. Although both strategies could collect responses from all Brazilian regions, email responses were slightly better distributed across the five territorial areas compared to Instagram. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that survey recruitment of a large sample using Instagram is feasible. However, using Instagram to engage participants is challenging and has limitations that warrant further investigation. Combination of email and Instagram recruitment led to a more diverse population and improved response rates.


2019 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Story ◽  
Alan R. Tait

Abstract SUMMARY Surveys provide evidence on practice, attitudes, and knowledge. However, conducting good survey research is harder than it looks. The authors aim to provide guidance to both researchers and readers in conducting and interpreting survey research. Like all research, surveys should have clear research question(s) using the smallest possible number of high-quality, essential, survey questions (items) that will interest the target population. Both researchers and readers should put themselves in the position of the respondents. The survey questions should provide reproducible results (reliable), measure what they are supposed to measure (valid), and take less than 10 min to answer. Good survey research reports provide results with valid and reliable answers to the research question with an adequate response rate (at least 40%) and adequate precision (margin of error ideally 5% or less). Possible biases among those who did not respond (nonresponders) must be carefully analyzed and discussed. Quantitative results can be combined with qualitative results in mixed-methods research to provide greater insight.


Author(s):  
T.N. TRAN ◽  
G. VAN HAL ◽  
M. PEETERS ◽  
S. JIDKOVA ◽  
S. HOECK

Municipal characteristics associated with response rate to organised colorectal cancer screening in Flanders Introduction In Flanders (Belgium), the response rate to organised colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is still suboptimal (~ 50%). We studied the characteristics of municipalities in the Flemish provinces with the highest and lowest response rates to explore factors that might be associated with the response rate to organised CRC screening. Methods The response rates of municipalities in 5 Flemish provinces and the characteristics of municipalities in the provinces with the highest and lowest response rates were compared to the average measures of Flanders (data 2017) using an unpaired two-sample Wilcoxon test. Results The municipal response rates in Limburg and Antwerp were significantly higher, and those in West Flanders and Flemish Brabant significantly lower compared to Flanders. Further analyses of Limburg (highest response rate) and Flemish Brabant (lowest response rate) suggested that municipalities with higher response rates had more men and people aged 60-64 in the target population, more jobseekers and more people who contacted GPs/specialists frequently, but fewer people aged 70-74 in the target population and with a lower average income compared to Flanders. In contrast, municipalities with lower response rates had fewer men in the target population, fewer people having a partner, fewer jobseekers and fewer people having a global medical file, but more people with a non-Dutch or non-Belgian nationality and a higher average income (p-values < 0.01). Conclusion This exploratory study identifies certain demographic, socioeconomic and health‑related municipal characteristics that may be related to the response rate to CRC screening in Flanders. These findings can guide future research and investigations with the aim to improve the response rate to CRC screening.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 53-64
Author(s):  
Jussac Maulana Masjhoer ◽  
Dwi Wibowo ◽  
Bijak Qoulan Sadida ◽  
Inosensius Tito Ogista

The lack of information related to the best practices in responsible tourism is one of the causes to tourist behavior problems. This study aims to determine the behavior of tourists in hiking, the adoption of responsible tourism practices, and to compile a responsible tourism practices guidebook. The research method used is survey research by spreading the questionnaire. Based on Likert analysis, at the pre-ascending stage, the classification of attitudes indicated by the respondents for cost and transportation is quite agreeable, while for equipment, guide, and simaksi is agreed. The ascent stage, the indicator when going up the mountain is quite agree, camping is not agree, the cook is agree, and when down the mountain is strongly agree. The post-ascent stage shows quite agreeable attitude. The public test of the guidebook, for the aspect of size and language of submission shows an agreeable attitude, while for the design, thickness, and content of the book shows an agreeable attitude. The conclusion is that (1) Still found the behavior of tourists in mountain climbing that is not environmentally friendly, (2) The responsible tourism practices of mountaineering that includes pre-ascending, ascent, and post-ascent, not well implemented by tourists, and (3) The responsible tourism practices guidebook still lack both technical and substance. Keywords: responsible tourism, mountain hiking, guidebook, tourist behavior


Author(s):  
Silvana Chambers ◽  
Kim Nimon ◽  
Paula Anthony-McMann

This paper presents best practices for conducting survey research using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Readers will learn the benefits, limitations, and trade-offs of using MTurk as compared to other recruitment services, including SurveyMonkey and Qualtrics. A synthesis of survey design guidelines along with a sample survey are presented to help researchers collect the best quality data. Techniques, including SPSS and R syntax, are provided that demonstrate how users can clean resulting data and identify valid responses for which workers could be paid.


2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
Kathryn Uhlman ◽  
Vlad Diaconita ◽  
Alexander Mao ◽  
Rookaya Mather

Objective: A growing concern in optometry is the incidence and prevalence of occupational musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and injury, with no studies assessing Canadian professionals. However, the risk of work-related MSK pain in optometry has become widely recognized by the profession and literature as having a negative impact on the health and careers of optometrists. The goal of this study was to quantify prevalence and location of MSK pain in Canadian optometrists and estimate practices that may be associated with MSK issues. Methods: A voluntary, internet-based survey (SurveyMonkey Inc., San Mateo, CA, United States) was distributed to all optometrists registered with the Canadian Association of Optometry (CAO). Survey questions were adapted from the literature to identify the prevalence and significance of work-related MSK issues. Results: One-hundred-twenty-one optometrists, with a response rate of 2.4%, and 169 ophthalmologists, with a response rate of 17% participated in a voluntary internet-based survey. When asked if they had experienced pain attributed to their work in the last 12 months, 61% of optometry responders said “yes”, compared to 50% of ophthalmology responders (p=0.06). Shoulder pain was reported in 41% of optometry responders, lower back pain in 37% and neck pain in 34%. This was compared to 28% (p=0.02), 36% (p=0.90) and 46% (p=0.04) respectively in ophthalmology responders. Optometry respondents most commonly attributed MSK pain to “performing the same task over and over”, “working in the same position” and “slit lamp exams”.  Conclusion: Many of the eye-care responders in our study were impacted by work-related MSK pain. The prevalence, location and severity of pain were similar to findings in other literature. More research is needed to determine best practices for prevention and solution of MSK pain among eye-care professionals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-77
Author(s):  
Rafael R. Moraes ◽  
Marcos B. Correa ◽  
Ândrea Daneris ◽  
Ana B. Queiroz ◽  
João P. Lopes ◽  
...  

Abstract In this study, we describe a method for reaching a target population (i.e., dentists practicing in Brazil) to engage in survey research using traditional e-mail invites and recruitment campaigns created on Instagram. This study addresses methodological aspects and compares respondents reached by different methods. A pre-tested questionnaire was used and participants were recruited for 10 days via a source list of email addresses and two discrete Instagram organic open campaigns. A total of 3,122 responses were collected: 509 participants were recruited by email (2.1% response rate) and 2,613 by the two Instagram campaigns (20.7% and 11.7% conversion rates), respectively. Response/min collection rates in the first 24 h ranged between 0.23 (email) and 1.09 (first campaign). In total, 98.8% of all responses were received in the first 48 h for the different recruitment strategies. There were significant differences for all demographic variables (p< 0.001) between email and Instagram respondents, except for sex (p=0.37). Instagram respondents were slightly older, had more professional experience (years in practice), and a higher graduate education level than email respondents. Moreover, most email and Instagram respondents worked in the public sector and private practice, respectively. Although both strategies could collect responses from all Brazilian regions, email responses were slightly better distributed across the five territorial areas compared to Instagram. This study provides evidence that survey recruitment of a diverse, large population sample using Instagram is feasible. However, combination of email and Instagram recruitment led to a more diverse population and improved response rates.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leib Litman ◽  
Zohn Rosen ◽  
Cheskie Rosenzweig ◽  
Sarah L. Weinberger-Litman ◽  
Aaron J. Moss ◽  
...  

AbstractSociety is becoming increasingly dependent on survey research. However, surveys can be impacted by participants who are non-attentive, respond randomly to survey questions, and misrepresent who they are and their true attitudes. The impact that such respondents can have on public health research has rarely been systematically examined. In this study we examine whether Americans began to engage in dangerous cleaning practices to avoid Covid-19 infection. Prior findings reported by the CDC have suggested that people began to engage in highly dangerous cleaning practices during the Covid-19 pandemic, including ingesting household cleansers such as bleach. In a series of studies totaling close to 1400 respondents, we show that 80-90% of reports of household cleanser ingestion are made by problematic respondents. These respondents report impossible claims such as ‘recently having had a fatal heart attack’ and ‘eating concrete for its iron content’ at a similar rate to ingesting household cleaners. Additionally, respondents’ frequent misreading or misinterpreting the intent of questions accounted for the rest of such claims. Once inattentive, mischievous, and careless respondents are taken out of the analytic sample we find no evidence that people ingest cleansers to prevent Covid-19 infection. The relationship between dangerous cleaning practices and health outcomes also becomes non-significant once problematic respondents are taken out of the analytic sample. These results show that reported ingestion of household cleaners and other similar dangerous practices are an artifact of problematic respondent bias. The implications of these findings for public health and medical survey research, as well as best practices for avoiding problematic respondents in surveys are discussed.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 977-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong-Ling Fuh ◽  
Shuu-Jiun Wang ◽  
Shiang-Ru Lu ◽  
Kai-Dih Juang

We conducted a self-administered questionnaire to investigate ice-cream headache in school adolescents aged 13-15 in Taiwan. The target population was 8789 students in 6 public junior high schools. A total of 8359 students completed the questionnaire (response rate 95.1%). The prevalence of ice-cream headache was 40.6%. It was significantly higher in boys than in girls, and increased with grade. Students with migraine had a higher frequency of ice-cream headache compared with the students without migraine (55.2% vs. 39.6%, P < 0.0001). The prevalence of ice-cream headache increased among students with more migrainous features. Approximately one third of students decreased their intake of ice cream, or abstained completely, especially the younger students. Our study suggests icecream headache is very common in Taiwanese adolescents, and it is more common in students who experienced migraine.


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