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Increasing response to mailed questionnaires by including a pencil/pen
Emily White1, Patricia A Carney, Ann Shattuck Kolar
1Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. ewhite@fhcrc.org
American Journal of Epidemiology
|June 24, 2005
Summary
Including a pen or pencil with mailed questionnaires significantly boosts response rates for health surveys. This cost-effective method increases participation, especially for non-responders, making follow-up mailings more efficient.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Survey Methodology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Nonmonetary incentives can increase mailed questionnaire response rates.
- Prior research indicated pens/pencils did not improve health survey response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of including a study-logo pen or pencil in mailed questionnaires to increase response rates.
- To determine if this method is cost-effective for health surveys.
Main Methods:
- Two US trials conducted in 2001-2002 involving mailed questionnaires.
- Randomly included a study-logo pen or pencil in a second mailing to non-responders.
- Analyzed response rates with and without the included writing instrument.
Main Results:
- First study: 55% response with a pen vs. 40% without (p < 0.001).
- Second study: 43% response with a pencil vs. 24% without (p = 0.02).
- A 15-19 percentage point increase for the second mailing, translating to a 5-6 percentage point increase overall.
Conclusions:
- Including a pen or pencil in a second mailing significantly increases survey response rates.
- This method is a cost-effective strategy to improve participation in health surveys.
- The cost of the incentive is offset by reduced mailings to non-respondents.