American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 147, No. 1: 74-82
Copyright © 1998 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health
research-article |
Response Rate to Mailed Epidemiologic Questionnaires: A Population-based Randomized Trial of Variations in Design and Mailing Routines
1Department of Medical Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
2Department of Statistics, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden
3Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health Boston, MA
Reprint requests to Sonja Eaker, Department of Medical Epidemiology, Karofinska Institutet, Box 281, S-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
Although self-administered questionnaires are major sources of information in epidemiology, comparatively little has been done to study practical aspects of design and mailing. The objective of this study was to evaluate various measures taken to increase the response rate. A questionnaire was mailed in July 1995 to a random sample (n=2,000) of the Swedish population aged 20–79 years. Using a randomized factorial study design, the questionnaire and mailing procedures were changed in three ways: preliminary notification, length of the questionnaire, and mention of telephone contact. The overall questionnaire retrieval rate was 49%. Preliminary notification (adjusted odds ratio of receiving a completed questionnaire=1.30, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.08–1.56 relative to the absence of preliminary notification) and short length of the questionnaire (odds ratio=1.24, 95% Cl 1.04–1.48 relative to a long questionnaire) were both independently associated with a higher retrieval rate. Of eight possible combinations, the one comprising preliminary notification, a short questionnaire, and no mention of telephone contact gave the highest retrieval rate, 56%. The lowest retrieval rate, 40%, was observed for the combination of no preliminary notification, a long questionnaire, and mention of telephone contact. Young age, male sex, and urban residence significantly lowered the retrieval rate. Although there was a positive association between the questionnaire retrieval rate and partial nonresponse (missing answers in retrieved questionnaires), the marginal losses due to the latter did not cancel the gains by optimized mailing routines. Old age was the strongest determinant of partial nonresponse. The data provide evidence that design and mailing strategies, as well as demographic characteristics, may greatly influence the response rate of mailed epidemiologic questionnaires.
epidemiologic methods; questionnaires
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  O. Ekholm, U. Hesse, M. Davidsen, and M. Kjoller The study design and characteristics of the Danish national health interview surveys Scand J Public Health, September 1, 2009; 37(7): 758 - 765. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. P. Pakarinen, J. Natunen, M. Ashorn, A. Koivusalo, P. Turunen, R. J. Rintala, and K.-L. Kolho Long-term Outcomes of Restorative Proctocolectomy in Children With Ulcerative Colitis Pediatrics, May 1, 2009; 123(5): 1377 - 1382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. M. Arruda-Olson, S. A. Weston, B. L. Fridley, J. M. Killian, E. E. Koepsell, and V. L. Roger Participation Bias and Its Impact on the Assembly of a Genetic Specimen Repository for a Myocardial Infarction Cohort Mayo Clin. Proc., October 1, 2007; 82(10): 1185 - 1191. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Iversen, K. Liddell, N. Fear, M. Hotopf, and S. Wessely Consent, confidentiality, and the Data Protection Act BMJ, January 21, 2006; 332(7534): 165 - 169. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Kjoller and H. Thoning Characteristics of non-response in the Danish Health Interview Surveys, 1987-1994 Eur J Public Health, October 1, 2005; 15(5): 528 - 535. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. IVERSEN, C. DYSON, N. SMITH, N. GREENBERG, R. WALWYN, C. UNWIN, L. HULL, M. HOTOPF, C. DANDEKER, J. ROSS, et al. 'Goodbye and good luck': the mental health needs and treatment experiences of British ex-service personnel The British Journal of Psychiatry, June 1, 2005; 186(6): 480 - 486. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A H Thomson and M J Tomlinson Brain metastases and steroid reduction after radiotherapy Palliative Medicine, October 1, 2004; 18(7): 665 - 666. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N J. A van Exel, W. J. S. op Reimer, W. B. Brouwer, B. van den Berg, M. A Koopmanschap, and G. A. van den Bos Instruments for assessing the burden of informal caregiving for stroke patients in clinical practice: a comparison of CSI, CRA, SCQ and self-rated burden Clinical Rehabilitation, February 1, 2004; 18(2): 203 - 214. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A M J Chorus, H S Miedema, A Boonen, and S. van der Linden Quality of life and work in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis of working age Ann Rheum Dis, December 1, 2003; 62(12): 1178 - 1184. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. M. Doody, A. S. Sigurdson, D. Kampa, K. Chimes, B. H. Alexander, E. Ron, R. E. Tarone, and M. S. Linet Randomized Trial of Financial Incentives and Delivery Methods for Improving Response to a Mailed Questionnaire Am. J. Epidemiol., April 1, 2003; 157(7): 643 - 651. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M G V M Russel, B M Ryan, P C Dagnelie, M de Rooij, J Sijbrandij, A Feleus, M Hesselink, J W Muris, and R Stockbrugger Insurance problems among inflammatory bowel disease patients: results of a Dutch population based study Gut, March 1, 2003; 52(3): 358 - 362. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. T. Kozlowski, G. P. Vogler, D. J. Vandenbergh, A. A. Strasser, R. J. O'Connor, and B. A. Yost Using a Telephone Survey to Acquire Genetic and Behavioral Data Related to Cigarette Smoking in "Made-Anonymous" and "Registry" Samples Am. J. Epidemiol., July 1, 2002; 156(1): 68 - 77. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. R. Schover, K. Brey, A. Lichtin, L. I. Lipshultz, and S. Jeha Knowledge and Experience Regarding Cancer, Infertility, and Sperm Banking in Younger Male Survivors J. Clin. Oncol., April 1, 2002; 20(7): 1880 - 1889. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Goldberg, J. F. Chastang, A. Leclerc, M. Zins, S. Bonenfant, I. Bugel, N. Kaniewski, A. Schmaus, I. Niedhammer, M. Piciotti, et al. Socioeconomic, Demographic, Occupational, and Health Factors Associated with Participation in a Long-term Epidemiologic Survey: A Prospective Study of the French GAZEL Cohort and Its Target Population Am. J. Epidemiol., August 15, 2001; 154(4): 373 - 384. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H S J Picavet National health surveys by mail or home interview: effects on response J Epidemiol Community Health, June 1, 2001; 55(6): 408 - 413. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. F. Subar, R. G. Ziegler, F. E. Thompson, C. C. Johnson, J. L. Weissfeld, D. Reding, K. H. Kavounis, R. B. Hayes, and for the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Ca Is Shorter Always Better? Relative Importance of Questionnaire Length and Cognitive Ease on Response Rates and Data Quality for Two Dietary Questionnaires Am. J. Epidemiol., February 15, 2001; 153(4): 404 - 409. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Gallacher and J. Olsen Questionnaire standards in epidemiology Int. J. Epidemiol., August 1, 2000; 29(4): 773 - 773. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. M J Chorus, H. S Miedema, C. J Wevers, and S. van der Linden Labour force participation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis Ann Rheum Dis, July 1, 2000; 59(7): 549 - 554. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|