scholarly journals Maximizing response rates in survey research: Issues and methods

10.18060/178 ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Darcy Clay Siebert

Collecting accurate data is a challenge for researchers, and securing sufficient response rates can be especially difficult, particularly when asking respondents to reveal sensitive information. This paper will review the relevant literature and illustrate the issues by reporting the methodes used to collect data for Work and Well Being: A Study of North Carolina Social Workers. By following a rigorous protocol, the study achieved a 75% response rate (N=751), a sample that was representative of the population, and minimal response bias. The results highlight the ways in which social work researchers can explore difficult substantive arenas and yet achieve an excellent response.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Lilja ◽  
A Seppänen ◽  
H Kuusio

Abstract Background Previous population surveys among people with foreign background (PFB) in Finland have had successful response rates (62%-66%) when using mainly face-to-face interviews. A cross-sectional population survey (FinMONIK) explored more cost-efficient ways to collect the data on PFB. Methods The data collection was conducted in Finland between May 2018 and January 2019. The random sample consisted of 12 877 (after removing over-coverage) 18-64-year-olds stratified by region. First, a letter containing a link to the online survey with 18 different language options was sent to the participants. After two reminders, the questionnaire was sent twice on paper to the non-respondents. Finally, supplementary phone interviews were carried out by multi-lingual interviewers. All the participants were able to enter in a draw to win gift cards. Results The response rate (RR) for the online survey was 34%. RR was highest for those who had lived in Finland 5 years or less (43%) and lowest among the divorced (23%) and Estonians (27%). The paper questionnaire was mostly preferred by older age groups, increasing the RR of 40-64 year-olds from 31% to 48%. Telephone interviews increased the RR by five percent points, thus making the final RR for the survey 53%. Persons born in the EU and North-America responded the most frequently (58%) whereas RR was lowest amongst the Sub-Saharan African origin migrants (47%). RR was particularly low (42%) for those who had moved to Finland at ages 0-6. Conclusions In surveys conducted amongst PFB, relatively good response rates can be obtained by using alternate methods for gathering data instead of costly and time-consuming face-to-face interview. Age and marital status seemed to affect the preference of survey format. The overall RR varied by country of origin. Key messages A good response rate can be obtained without face-to-face interviews in migrant population surveys. Migrant population surveys can be conducted more efficiently by combining a variety of methods.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iana Bilynets ◽  
Ljubica Knezevic Cvelbar ◽  
Sara Dolnicar

Destination image stands at the centre of every destination’s marketing strategy. This study introduces a new way of measuring destination image changes as a consequence of tourists experiencing a destination. In our study, surveying tourists during shuttle bus transfers to and from the airport resulted in a response rate of 83% and a completion rate of 65% – both well above the industry standard for survey research. With thousands of passengers booking airport transfers every month, and about one third booking return trips, the shuttle bus survey offers a unique opportunity to measure destination image from the same tourists before and after their visit to the destination. Bus drivers and passengers assessed the experience as being overwhelmingly positive as it counteracts boredom typically experienced by passengers during transfers.


1998 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 336-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy E. Green ◽  
Judith A. Boser ◽  
Susan R. Hutchinson

A meta-analysis of 193 survey research studies examined differences in response rate by population type. Analysis suggests higher response rates may be expected from surveys of students and educators than from surveys of the general population. Effects of treatments intended to affect response rate differed minimally by type of population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin R. W. Hiebl ◽  
J. Frederik Richter

ABSTRACT The survey method is one of the most frequently used quantitative approaches in management accounting research. For research surveys, the number of usable responses is an important feature, and high response rates present one opportunity to achieve large sample sizes. Response rates describe the share of usable received responses compared with the survey population. To date, we know little about what impacts response rates in management accounting survey research. In this paper, we therefore examine 140 survey articles published in the two most highly regarded specialist journals of management accounting research, the Journal of Management Accounting Research and Management Accounting Research. Our results indicate that in recent years, response rates in management accounting research have experienced a downward trend. We also find that survey population size, the region where surveys are conducted, the scale of surveys, the hierarchical level of respondents, the research topics examined, random sampling techniques, and the establishment of contact with the survey population before sending out questionnaires are all significantly associated with the response rate. We conclude with implications for future survey research in management accounting.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Braekman ◽  
Stefaan Demarest ◽  
Rana Charafeddine ◽  
Sabine Drieskens ◽  
Finaba Berete ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Potential is seen in web data collection for population health surveys due to a combination of its cost-effectiveness, implementation ease and the increased internet penetration. Nonetheless, web modes may lead to lower and more selective unit response rates than traditional modes and hence may increase bias in the measured indicators. OBJECTIVE This research assesses the unit response and costs of a web versus F2F study. METHODS Alongside the F2F Belgian Health Interview Survey of 2018 (BHIS2018; n gross sample used: 7,698), a web survey (BHISWEB; n gross sample=6,183) is organized. Socio-demographic data on invited individuals is obtained from the national register and census linkages. Unit response rates considering the different sampling probabilities of both surveys are calculated. Logistic regression analyses examine the association between mode system (web vs. F2F) and socio-demographic characteristics on unit non-response. The costs per completed web questionnaire are compared with these for a completed F2F questionnaire. RESULTS The unit response rate is lower in BHISWEB (18.0%) versus BHIS2018 (43.1%). A lower web response is found among all socio-demographic groups, however, the difference is higher among people older than 65, low educated people, people with a non-Belgian nationality, people living alone and these living in Brussels Capital. Not the same socio-demographic characteristics are associated with non-response in both studies. Having another European (OR (95% CI): 1.60 (1.20-2.13)) or a non-European nationality (OR (95% CI): 2.57 (1.79-3.70)) (compared to having the Belgian nationality) and living in the Brussels Capital (95% CI): 1.72 (1.41-2.10)) or Walloon (OR (95% CI): 1.47 (1.15 - 1.87) region (compared to living in the Flemish region) is only in BHISWEB associated with a higher non-response. In BHIS2018 younger people (OR (95% CI): 1.31 (1.11-1.54)) are more likely to be non-respondent than older people, this was not found BHISWEB. In both studies, lower educated people have a higher change to be non-respondent, but this effect is more pronounced in BHISWEB (OR low vs. high education level (95% CI): Web 2.71 (2.21-3.39)); F2F 1.70 (1.48-1.95)). The BHISWEB study has a considerable cost advantage; the total cost per completed questionnaire is almost three times lower (€41) compared to the F2F data collection (€111). CONCLUSIONS The F2F unit response rate is generally higher, yet for certain groups the difference between web versus F2F is more limited. A considerable cost advantage of web collection is found. It is therefore worthwhile to experiment with adaptive mixed-mode designs to optimize financial resources without increasing selection bias; e.g. only inviting socio-demographic groups more eager to participate online for web surveys while remaining to focus on increasing the F2F response rates for other groups. CLINICALTRIAL Studies approved by the Ethics Committee of the University hospital of Ghent


Author(s):  
Sarah Gorin ◽  
Mary Baginsky ◽  
Jo Moriarty ◽  
Jill Manthorpe

Abstract Recent years have seen a re-emergence of international interest in relationship-based social work. This article uses children’s accounts of their relationships with social workers to build on previous research to promote children’s safety and well-being. Interviews were undertaken with 111 children aged six- to eighteen-years old across ten different local authorities in England, as part of the evaluation of Munro, Turnell and Murphy’s Signs of Safety pilots within the Department for Education’s Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme. The interviews reveal four key findings: that children look for care and reciprocity in their relationships with social workers and this can be achieved through listening and small acts of kindness; that they are adept at recognising aspects of social workers’ verbal and non-verbal communications which indicate to the child whether they are listening and interested in them; that there are times in which children are particularly vulnerable especially if parents are resistant to engagement or children’s trust is broken; and that children actively use their agency to control their communication and engagement. The article concludes by highlighting children’s relational resilience and the importance of ensuring opportunities for children to develop new relationships with social workers when previous relationships have broken down.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 033310242110181
Author(s):  
Florian Frank ◽  
Hanno Ulmer ◽  
Victoria Sidoroff ◽  
Gregor Broessner

Background The approval of monoclonal antibodies for prevention of migraine has revolutionized treatment for patients. Oral preventatives are still considered first line treatments as head-to-head trials comparing them with antibodies are lacking. Methods The main purpose of this study was to provide a comparative overview of the efficacy of three commonly prescribed migraine preventative medication classes. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the databases CENTRAL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE until 20 March 2020. We included RCTs reporting the 50% response rates for topiramate, Botulinum Toxin Type A and monoclonal antibodies against CGRP(r). Studies were excluded if response rates were not reported, treatment allocation was unclear, or if study quality was insufficient. Primary outcome measure were the 50% response rates. The pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated with the random effects model. The study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020222880). Findings We identified 6552 reports. Thirty-two were eligible for our review. Studies assessing monoclonal antibodies included 13,302 patients and yielded pooled odds ratios for the 50% response rate of 2.30 (CI: 2.11–2.50). Topiramate had an overall effect estimate of 2.70 (CI: 1.97–3.69) with 1989 included patients and Botulinum Toxin Type A achieved 1.28 (CI: 0.98–1. 67) with 2472 patients included. Interpretation Topiramate, botulinum toxin type A and monoclonal antibodies showed higher odds ratios in achieving a 50% response rate compared to placebo. Topiramate numerically demonstrated the greatest effect size but also the highest drop-out rate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 602
Author(s):  
Eleni Bonti ◽  
Sofia Giannoglou ◽  
Marianthi Georgitsi ◽  
Maria Sofologi ◽  
Georgia-Nektaria Porfyri ◽  
...  

The manifestation of Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) during adulthood is one of the least examined research areas among the relevant literature. Therefore, the adult population with SLD is considered a “rare” and “unique” population of major scientific interest. The aim of the current study was to investigate, describe, and analyze the clinical, academic, and socio-demographic characteristics, and other everyday functioning life-skills of adults with SLD, in an attempt to shed more light on this limited field of research. The overall sample consisted of 318 adults, who were assessed for possible SLD. The diagnostic procedure included self-report records (clinical interview), psychometric/cognitive, and learning assessments. The main finding of the study was that SLD, even during adulthood, continues to affect the individuals’ well-being and functionality in all of their life domains. There is an ongoing struggle of this population to obtain academic qualifications in order to gain vocational rehabilitation, as well as a difficulty to create a family, possibly resulting from their unstable occupational status, their financial insecurity, and the emotional/self-esteem issues they usually encounter, due to their ongoing learning problems. Moreover, the various interpersonal characteristics, the comorbidity issues, and the different developmental backgrounds observed in the clinical, academic, personal, social, and occupational profiles of the participants, highlight the enormous heterogeneity and the continuum that characterizes SLD during adulthood. We conclude that there is an imperative need for further research and the construction of more sufficient tools for the assessment and diagnosis of SLD during adulthood, which will take into account the developmental challenges and milestones in a series of domains, in order to assist this “vulnerable” population with their life struggles.


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