Labour-saving strategies to maintain survey response rates: a randomised trial

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
J WardM Sladden

Abstract

To evaluate response-aiding strategies feasible in large surveys, we randomly allocated general practitioners (GPs) to one of four intervention groups: Group 1 received 'exhaustive' telephone prompts by a medical peer in advance of a questionnaire; Group 2, inclusion of an embossed pen with the questionnaire; Group 3, an advance letter prompt; and Group 4, a 'single attempt' advance telephone prompt by a non-medical research assistant. Follow-up procedures were identical. Response rates by group were not significantly different overall (chi 2 = 4.59, df = 3, p = 0.20) although advance prompts by a medical peer were significantly more effective than other strategies for male GPs. The difference in overall response rates between males (63%) and females (74%) was significant (chi 2 = 15.40, df = 1, p < 0.01). No other response bias was evident. Our demonstration of a significant interaction between respondent sex and response-aiding strategy invites further research.

References

Feb 9, 1991·BMJ : British Medical Journal·S J Evans
Sep 1, 1984·American Journal of Public Health·J F SallisJ W Farquhar
Sep 1, 1994·Australian Journal of Public Health·J Ward, G Wain

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Citations

Sep 18, 1999·American Journal of Preventive Medicine·M J SladdenJ B Lowe
May 30, 2001·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·M Gattellari, J E Ward
May 20, 1999·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·M PirottaG Karabatsos
Jun 8, 2014·BMC Medical Research Methodology·Sabrina Winona PitSagun Pyakurel
Jun 10, 2000·Australian Dental Journal·G Rikard-Bell, J Ward
Sep 17, 2004·Medical Informatics and the Internet in Medicine·Armita AdilyJeanette Ward
Jan 8, 2008·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·Frances J DrummondHarry Comber
May 23, 2006·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·Jamie C BrehautIan G Stiell
Nov 8, 2007·Evaluation & the Health Professions·Jonathan B VanGeestVerna L Welch
Jun 18, 1998·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·J WardP Holt
Jul 10, 2009·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Philip James EdwardsSarah Pratap
Oct 18, 2003·Stroke; a Journal of Cerebral Circulation·Sandy MiddletonJeanette Ward
Jul 4, 2006·ANZ Journal of Surgery·Sandy MiddletonJeanette E Ward
Jun 18, 1998·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·J WardM Sladden
Jan 12, 2005·Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology·Peter ParashosHarold H Messer
May 9, 2009·The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume·Sheila SpragueMohit Bhandari
Mar 5, 1999·The Medical Journal of Australia·M J Sladden, J E Ward
Nov 6, 1998·The Medical Journal of Australia·J M YoungP Holt

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