Follow-up Strategies in a Mail Survey: Effect on Return Rate and Response Bias.

Abstract

The present study was designed (1) to assess the effects of various follow-up techniques on the return rate and response bias of demographic and attitudinal measurements, and (2) to explore the possibility that reaction to extensive follow-ups biases the responses from initially uncooperative selectees. Approximately 1500 Navy and Marine Corps personnel from San Diego were mailed the DoD Family Housing Preference Survey and were assigned to 10 follow-up groups. Eight of the groups formed a completely crossed 2 x 2 x 2 design, defining the follow-up by type of mail, type of material, and number of follow-ups. Two additional groups were formed, one receiving no follow-up and the other receiving extensive follow-up. Both return rate and response bias on 12 attitudinal and demographic variables were studied. The results in this study indicate that some type of follow-up procedure results in greater return rates than no follow-up. Response bias was found in some variables. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA033489

Entities

People

  • Jane Sachar
  • Susan Stumpf
  • William Kieckhaefer

Organizations

  • Bureau of Naval Personnel

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Applied Psychology
  • Department Of Defense
  • Families (Human)
  • Human Resources
  • Marine Corps
  • Marine Corps Personnel
  • Measurement
  • Military Families
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Research
  • Psychology
  • Public Opinion
  • Social Psychology
  • Surveys
  • Training

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  • Educational Psychology
  • Radar Systems Engineering.