This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.
Abstract
Objective. The purpose of this study was to characterize response rates for mail surveys published in medical journals; to determine how the response rate among subjects who are typical targets of mail surveys varies; and to evaluate the contribution of several techniques used by investigators to enhance response rates. Methods. One hundred seventy-eight manuscripts published in 1991, representing 321 distinct mail surveys, were abstracted to determine response rates and survey techniques. In a follow-up mail survey, 113 authors of these manuscripts provided supplementary information. Results. The mean response rate among mail surveys published in medical journals is approximately 60%. However, response rates vary according to subject studied and techniques used. Published surveys of physicians have a mean response rate of only 54%, and those of non-physicians have a mean response rate of 68%. In addition, multivariable models suggest that written reminders provided with a copy of the instrument and telephone reminders are each associated with response rates about 13% higher than surveys that do not use these techniques. Other techniques, such as anonymity and financial incentives, are not associated with higher response rates. Conclusions. Although several mail survey techniques are associated with higher response rates, response rates to published mail surveys tend to be moderate. However, a survey's response rate is at best an indirect indication of the extent of non-respondent bias. Investigators, journal editors, and readers should devote more attention to assessments of bias, and less to specific response rate thresholds.
Keywords
References
- Applied Multiple Regression/Correlation Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ1975
- Mail survey response rate: A metaanalysis of selected techniques for inducing response.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1989; 52: 467-491
- Survey response rates to a professional association mail questionnaire.J NY State Nurses Assoc. 1990; 21: 7-9
- Estimating the effect of incentives on mail survey response rates: A meta-analysis.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1993; 57: 62-79
- Effectiveness of various mailing strategies among nonrespondents in a prospective cohort study.Am J Epidemiol. 1990; 131: 1068-1071
- Effects of mailing strategies on response rate, response time, and cost in a questionnaire study among nurses.Epidemiology. 1990; 1: 72-74
- The effect of two mailing strategies on the response to a survey of physicians.Am J Epidemiol. 1991; 134: 539-542
- Different response rates in a trial of two envelope styles in mail survey research.Epidemiology. 1994; 5: 364-365
- Physician response to a mailed survey: An experiment in timing of payment.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1987; 51: 102-114
- Prepaid incentives yield higher response rates to mail surveys.Marketing News. 1985; 19: 30-31
- Timing payments to subjects of mail surveys: Cost-effectiveness and bias.J Clin Epidemiol. 1995; 48: 1325-1329
- Mail survey response rate: A meta-analysis of selected techniques for inducing response.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1989; 52: 467-491
- Understanding mail survey response behavior: A meta-analysis.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1991; 55: 613-639
- A quantitative review of research design effects on response rates to questionnaires.J Marketing Res. 1983; 20: 36-44
- Return postage in mail surveys, A meta-analysis.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1987; 51: 233-248
- Understanding mail survey response behavior: A meta-analysis.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1991; 55: 613-639
- A quantitative review of research design effects on response rates to questionnaires.J Marketing Res. 1983; 20: 36-44
- Estimating the effect of incentives on mail survey response rates: A meta-analysis.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1993; 57: 62-79
- Large monetary incentives and their effect on mail survey response rates.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1992; 56: 442-453
- Incentives for increasing return rates: Magnitude levels, response bias, and format.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1984; 48: 794-800
- Designing and Conducting Health Surveys. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco1989
- Understanding the decision to participate in a survey.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1992; 56: 475-495
- The behavior of respondents, nonrespondents, and refusers across mail surveys.Public Opinion Quarterly. 1992; 56: 530-535
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 11,
1997
Footnotes
☆This work was supported by a grant from the University of Pennsylvania Research Foundation.
Identification
Copyright
© 1997 Published by Elsevier Inc.
User license
Creative Commons Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) | How you can reuse 
Elsevier's open access license policy
Creative Commons Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Permitted
For non-commercial purposes:
- Read, print & download
- Redistribute or republish the final article
- Text & data mine
- Translate the article (private use only, not for distribution)
- Reuse portions or extracts from the article in other works
Not Permitted
- Sell or re-use for commercial purposes
- Distribute translations or adaptations of the article
Elsevier's open access license policy
