Two Attempts to Increase the Response to a Mail Survey (original) (raw)

Techniques for improving mail survey response rates

Marketing Bulletin, 1992

Mail surveys have an undeserved reputation for producing low response rates. However, the evidence presented in this paper demonstrates that response rates of 60% or better can be routinely achieved for mail surveys of the general public, specific consumer groups, and businesses, regardless of the topic investigated. To achieve response rates of this magnitude, the most effective technique is to send at least two reminder letters, include a questionnaire with each reminder, and include a reply-paid envelope. For surveys of the general public, response rates can also be improved by addressing the survey to a specific person, and by providing a monetary incentive.

The design and administration of mail surveys

Annual review of sociology, 1991

For reasons of cost and ease of implementation, mail surveys are more frequently used for social research than are either telephone or face-to-face interviews. In this chapter, the last two decades of research aimed at improv-ing mail survey methods are examined. Discussion of this ...

IMPROVING MAIL SURVEY RESPONSE RATES IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM

smib.vuw.ac.nz

Mail questionnaires are a popular means of surveying diverse groups of subjects when performing marketing research. However, response rates for mail surveys have been declining in recent times. This paper reviews suggested methods for improving response rates from current ...

Likelihood of Participating in Mail Survey Research

Industrial Marketing Management, 2000

This research used a survey-on-surveys approach to study business respondents' perspectives of mail surveys. Two studies were conducted. The results of the first study showed that day of the week had no effect on the likelihood of responding to a mail survey. Short questionnaires were preferred over long ones. The content of the study was the most important factor in stimulating response rates, followed by sponsorship of the study and postage paid reply envelopes. Prenotification and follow-up appeared to be the least important factors. These results were supported by the results of the second study. The results of the second study also indicated that researchers should use noncomparative scales or open-ended questions when asking respondents for facts and use comparative scales or fixed alternative responses when asking respondents for opinions or numbers.

Recent research on mailed questionnaire response rates

New Directions for Program Evaluation, 1984

In 1978, we published an article (Heberlein and Baurngartner, 1978) that was a quantitative review of 214 mailed surveys. Since that time, about forty additional studies of mailed surveys, including two replications of our original work, have been conducted. This chapter reviews these new studies to access advances in research on mailed questionnaires over the last five years.

The Use of Mailed Questionnaires to Conduct Survey Research

Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis, 1988

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief outline of the methods and procedures needed to design, construct, and conduct a research study using a mailed questionnaire. Particular attention is paid to those details that have an impact on increasing response rates, as this will improve the validity of data collected. In addi tion, the paper focuses on suitability of this method for survey research in psychoanalysis.

Response Rates and Perceived Questionnaire Length in Mail Surveys

Journal of Marketing Research, 1979

A 2 X 2 factorial experiment was designed to test'1he impact on mail survey response rate resulting from variations in paper trim size and number of printed pages in the questionnaire. ANOVA findings suggest 8 112 XII" paper trim size produces a better response rate than an 8 112 X 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.

Questionnaire Survey Nonresponse: A Comparison of Postal Mail and Internet Surveys

International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 2009

Rapid advances in computer technology, and more specifically the Internet, have spurred the use of the Internet surveys for data collection. However, there are some concerns about low response rates in studies that use the Internet as a medium. The question is whether the lessons learned in the past decades to improve rates in postal mail surveys can also be applied to increase response rates in Internet surveys. After all, the Internet is a completely new medium with its own "rules" and even its own (n)etiquette. This article examines 29 studies that directly compared different survey modes (postal mail, fax, e-mail, and Web-based surveys) with more than 15,000 respondents. Factors that can increase response rates and response quality when using Internet surveys, compared to mail surveys, are discussed. Finally, the research that can contribute to increase response rates in Internet surveys is examined.