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.

More on Self-Perception Theory's Foot Technique in the Pre-Call/Mail Survey Setting

1980 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris T. Allen ◽  
Charles D. Schewe ◽  
Gösta Wijk
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
The Self ◽  
Academic Researcher ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Perception Theory

A field experiment conducted in Sweden compared the effectiveness of two types of telephone pre-calls in influencing response rates in a mail survey. Response rates for a questioning foot-in-the-door manipulation were evaluated against responses produced by a simple solicitation call and a blind mailing control. The results demonstrate that pre-calling in general enhances response rate. However, the results furnish, at best, qualified support for a self-perception theory prediction. Alternative explanations for the lack of the self-perception foot effect are offered. Conclusions are drawn for the practitioner and academic researcher.

Mail Survey Response Rate and Bias: The Effect of Home versus Work Address

1977 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Mcginnis ◽  
Charles J. Hollon
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Questionnaire Item ◽  
Survey Response Rate ◽  
Professional Employees ◽  
At Home

A study was undertaken to ascertain whether the response rate and responses of a group of technically trained professional employees differed between those who received the questionnaire at work and those who received it at home. Response rates were found to be independent of address, and the frequency of questionnaire item significance was not significantly different from chance.

Effects of alternative follow-up procedures on mail survey response rates.

1974 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Etzel ◽  
Bruce J. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response

Improving Survey Response Rates with Visible Money

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 821-831
Author(s):  
Matthew Debell ◽  
Natalya Maisel ◽  
Brad Edwards ◽  
Michelle Amsbary ◽  
Vanessa Meldener
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Research Note ◽  
Significant Cost ◽  
Mail Surveys ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract In mail surveys and in advance letters for surveys in other modes, it is common to include a prepaid incentive of a small amount such as $5. However, when letters are addressed generically (such as to “Resident”), advance letters may be thrown away without being opened, so the enclosed cash is wasted and the invitation or advance letter is ineffective. This research note describes results of an experiment using a nationally representative sample of 4,725 residential addresses to test a new way of letting mail recipients know their letter contains cash and is therefore worth opening: an envelope with a window revealing $5, so the cash is clearly visible from outside the sealed envelope. We also tested the USPS for evidence of theft, and we compared First Class and Priority Mail postage. We found no evidence of theft. We found no difference in response rates between Priority Mail and First Class, making First Class much more cost-effective, and we found that visible money increased the response rate to a mail survey from 42.6 to 46.9 percent, at no significant cost.

Response Rates and Perceived Questionnaire Length in Mail Surveys

1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L. Childers ◽  
O. C. Ferrell
Keyword(s):  
Interaction Effect ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Factorial Experiment ◽  
Mail Surveys ◽  
Survey Response Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was designed to test the impact on mail survey response rate resulting from variations in paper trim size and number of printed pages in the questionnaire. ANOVA findings suggest 8½ × 11″ paper trim size produces a better response rate than an 8½ × 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.

Reappraising Mail Survey Response Rates

1974 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli P. Cox ◽  
W. Thomas Anderson ◽  
David G. Fulcher
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Minimum Sample Size ◽  
Mail Questionnaire ◽  
Minimum Sample ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

Numerous studies have evaluated various techniques for increasing response rates in mail questionnaire surveys. This study examines two such techniques (personalized cover letters and follow-up post reminders), but goes beyond the single criterion of response reliability to consider budget and time constraints, as well as minimum sample size requirements for analysis purposes.

More on the Prediction of Mail Survey Response Rates

1982 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Parasuraman
Keyword(s):  
Additional Data ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Practical Approach ◽  
Specific Time ◽  
Generalized Model ◽  
Over Time

The author discusses some omissions in, and limitations of, recent efforts to model mail survey returns over time. Additional data are analyzed to develop a generalized model of response rate over time, and a practical approach is proposed for estimating mailing requirements for surveys that have specific time deadlines and response requirements.

Survey Return Rates for Multiple-Authored versus Single-Authored Covering Letters

2010 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-212
Author(s):  
James H. Price ◽  
Jagdish Khubchandani ◽  
Michele Bryant ◽  
Megan Rickard ◽  
Candace Hendershot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Return Rates ◽  
Covering Letter

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.

Mail Survey Response Rates: Effects of Questionnaire Topic and Length and Recipients' Community

1980 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 435-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy M. Rudd ◽  
Nan L. Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Small Town ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Large City ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Return Rates ◽  
Three Factor

A three-factor analysis of variance was used to determine the effects of topic and length of questionnaire and recipients' community on rates of response to a mail survey. Four topics, two questionnaire lengths and three types of communities were studied; each cell (topic × length × city) contained data for 50 households. Large city dwellers were more likely to respond than small town dwellers, and the response rate of an allegedly over-sampled city was not significantly different from that of another city of similar size. Questionnaire's topic and length did not affect return rates, and there were no interactions.

A $2 Bill or Two $1 Bills: An Experiment that Challenges Standard Protocol

Field Methods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-240
Author(s):  
Sarah Mills
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
The Other ◽  
Standard Protocol ◽  
Survey Response Rate ◽  
Survey Participation ◽  
To Receive

The $2 bill is commonly used as a prepaid incentive in survey administration. Despite the widespread use of this incentive, there is no peer-reviewed research into how providing a single $2 bill rather than two $1 bills affects survey response rate. The results are from a mail survey of 2,970 rural landowners in Michigan with identical survey protocols. Half were randomly assigned to receive a single $2 bill and the other half to receive two $1 bills accompanying the questionnaire. I found no statistical difference in the response rates of the two groups. While there may be logistical advantages to using a single $2 bill compared to two $1 bills, this research suggests that the $2 bill is not more effective at inducing survey participation.

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