THE EFFECT OF INTERCESSION AND ALTRUISTIC APPEALS UPON QUESTIONNAIRE RETURN RATES.
Abstract
Concern with the return rate of questionnaires mailed Army officers led to the investigation of the relative merits of two appeals for cooperation to the potential respondents. Officers in one group were approached on an 'altruistic' basis, e.g. they were asked to cooperate in order to help improve Army officer training programs. In the intercession group the battalion commanders of these officers were required to countersign a statement by the respondent to the effect that he had completed the questionnaire--a direct appeal to authority. In terms of the over-all return from the two methods, they appeared equally effective. Over 98 per cent of each group returned quentionnaires. The intercession group, however, required significantly fewer follow-ups on nonrespondents following the initial mailing of the questionnaire.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1959
- Accession Number
- AD0487768
Entities
People
- Charles L. Darby
- Ronald A. Gardner
- William F. Brown