EMR 6500: Survey Research

1. EMR 6500:Survey Research Dr. Chris L. S. Coryn Spring 2012

2. Agenda Implementation procedures When more than one survey mode is needed In-class activity

3. Implementation Procedures

4. Mail Survey Implementation

5. Mail Survey Implementation • When high quality implementation procedures are used, response rates of 50%-70% are not uncommon • In my own work, I have had response rates as high as 90% • Implementation must receive considerable thought and planning • It should not occur after questionnaire design, but simultaneously

6. Mail Survey Implementation • General guidelines • To the extent possible, personalize all contacts to respondents (even when names are unavailable) • Send a token of appreciation with the survey request • Use multiple contacts, each with a different look and appeal • Carefully and strategically time all contacts • Select all mail-out dates with the characteristics of the population in mind

7. Mail Survey Implementation • General guidelines • Place information in the mailing exactly where it needs to be used • Take steps to ensure that mailings will not be mistaken for junk mail or marketing materials • Evaluate the size and weight of mailing materials on mailing costs • Assemble the mailings in a way that maximizes the appealing aspects of each element when the package is opened

8. Mail Survey Implementation • General guidelines • Ensure that all addresses in the sample comply with current postal regulations • Assign an individual ID number to each sample member • Establish procedures for dealing with undeliverable mail • Establish procedures for dealing with returned incentives • Establish procedures for dealing with respondent inquiries • Evaluate early returns for problems that can be addressed mid-stride

9. Prenotice Letter • Sent to respondents a few days prior to the questionnaire • It notes that a questionnaire is for an important survey that will arrive in a few days and that the person’s response will be greatly appreciated • This letter can increase response rates by 3%-6% • No recent research comparing postcards to letters (I prefer the former)

11. Questionnaire Mailing Includes a detailed cover letter explaining why a response is important The questionnaire A prepaid postage envelope A token incentive if one is to be provided

13. Thank You Postcard Sent a few days to a week after the questionnaire The mailing expresses appreciation for responding and indicates that if the completed questionnaire has not yet been mailed it is hoped that it will be returned soon

15. Replacement Questionnaire Sent to respondents 2 to 4 weeks after the previous questionnaire mailing It indicates that the person’s completed questionnaire has not yet been received and urges the recipient to respond

17. Final Contact Sent using a different mode of delivery 2 to 4 weeks after the previous mailing The different mode of contact distinguishes each type of final contact from regular mail delivery Special contacts have been shown to increase response

18. Web Survey Implementation

19. Web Survey Implementation • Major concerns associated with web surveys • Mode of initial contact • Extent to which personalized elements can be used • Whether and how incentives are delivered • Timing of contacts

20. Web Survey Implementation • General guidelines • To the extent possible, personalize all contacts to respondents • Send a token of appreciation with the survey request • Use multiple contacts and vary the message across them • Carefully and strategically time all contacts with the population in mind • Consider contacting respondents by another mode when possible

21. Web Survey Implementation • General guidelines • Keep e-mail contacts short and to the point • Take steps to ensure that e-mails are not flagged as spam • Carefully select the sender name and address the subject line text for e-mail communications • Provide clear instructions for how to access the survey • Make obvious connections between the opening screen and other implementation features

22. Web Survey Implementation • General guidelines • Assign each sample member a unique ID number • Know and respect the capabilities and limits of the web server(s) • Establish a procedure for dealing with bounced e-mails • Establish procedures for dealing with returned incentives • Establish procedures for dealing with respondent inquiries • Implement a system for monitoring progress and evaluating early completes

23. When More than one Survey Mode is Needed

24. Why Consider a Mixed-Mode Survey Design Lower costs Improve timeliness Reduce coverage error Deliver incentives

25. Four Types of Mixed-Mode Surveys

26. Type I Use one mode to contact respondents and to encourage response by a different mode

27. Type II Use a second mode to collect responses from the same respondents for specific questions within a questionnaire

28. Type III Use alternative modes for different respondents in the same survey period

29. Type IV Use a different mode to survey the same respondents in a later data collection period

30. Mixed-Mode Surveys and their Implications

31. Why Different Survey Modes Sometimes Produce Different Answers to Survey Questions

32. Presence versus Absence of an Interviewer Locus of control Normative question order effects Social desirability Acquiescence

33. Aural versus Visual Communication Effects Primacy/recencyeffects

35. In-Class Activity

36. Activity • The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) receives approximately 3,000 applications for research funding annually. Of these, approximately half are funded. The SNSF wants to determine what proportion of applicants perceive the review process as biased. • In small groups of 2-3, solve the following problems: • What sampling method is most appropriate and why? What are your assumptions? • Based on your selected sampling method for #1, what sample size is necessary to determine the proportion of applicants who believe that the review process for research funding is biased with a bound on the error of estimation of 0.05?