A perspective on "Physiotherapy Canada": results of 1981 readership survey

A readership survey was undertaken in 1981 by the editorial board of PHYSIOTHERAPY CANADA in order to identify the readers, ascertain their preferences and obtain their evaluation of the present content of the Journal. A questionnaire and a pre-addressed, prepaid response-card were included in the regular mailing of the January/February 1981 issue of the Journal. Analysis of the resulting data produced both descriptive and inferential statistics. Of the 6478 targeted population (readers on the mailing list), 440 (6.8%) replied. The response rate of physiotherapists was 7.3%. Although the low response rate makes it difficult to generalize the results to the readership at large, some helpful information was obtained. The majority of the respondents (84.3%) were physiotherapists, involved in clinical work (75.5%). Eighty-two per cent had never published an article. Although PHYSIOTHERAPY CANADA was the sole journal consulted by 29.7% of respondents, another 50.4% did consult from one to three additional journals. A clear preference for clinical articles was expressed. The low rate of publication claimed by respondents, however, and their predilection for using the Journal as a source of information rather than as a vehicle for disseminating reports of their own work, makes it difficult for the Journal to comply with their request.