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Related Experiment Videos

Primer postcard improves postal survey response rates.

M Pirotta1, J Gunn, S Farish

  • 1Department of General Practice and Public Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria. m.pirotta@gpph.unimelb.edu.au

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
|May 20, 1999
PubMed
Summary

A primer postcard significantly improved mailed survey response rates for general practitioners, increasing them from 60% to 66%. This cost-effective method enhances survey participation and is recommended for public health research.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Research Methodology
  • Public Health Survey Design

Background:

  • Mailed surveys are crucial for data collection in public health research.
  • Low response rates can compromise the validity and generalizability of survey findings.
  • Effective strategies are needed to improve participation in postal surveys.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of a 'primer' postcard intervention on mailed survey response rates.
  • To assess the cost-effectiveness of using primer postcards to increase survey participation.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 800 general practitioners in Victoria.
  • Half the participants received a 'primer' postcard before the main survey mailout.
  • The primer card aimed to encourage prompt return of the survey.

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Main Results:

  • The primer postcard intervention led to a more rapid return of surveys.
  • Overall response rates increased from 60% to 66% in the intervention group.
  • The additional cost per returned survey was offset by reduced follow-up efforts.

Conclusions:

  • A primer postcard is an efficient and cost-effective method for boosting response rates in general practitioner surveys.
  • Public health researchers should consider this intervention to improve postal survey participation.
  • Future reports on response-maximizing strategies should include cost-per-returned-survey data for better comparisons.