An Integrative Review of Response Rates in Nursing Research Utilizing Online Surveys

Online surveys in nursing research have both advantages and disadvantages. Reaching a sample and attaining an appropriate response rate is an ongoing challenge and necessitates careful consideration when designing a nursing research study using an online survey approach.

In this study, we aimed to explore response rates and survey characteristics of studies by nurse researchers that used online methodologies to survey nurses, nursing students, and nursing faculty.

We conducted an integrative review of research studies that used online surveys for data collection published from 2011 to 2021. We examined response rates and survey characteristics such as recruitment method, use of incentives, question type, length of survey, time to complete the survey, and use of reminders.

Our review included 51 studies published by nurses with target samples of nurses, nursing students, or nursing faculty. Study sample sizes ranged from 48 to 29,283, the number of respondents ranged from 29 to 3,607, and the response rates ranged from 3.4% to 98%, with an average of 42.46%. Few patterns emerged regarding recruitment or other factors to enhance response rates; only five studies used incentives.

Response rates to online surveys are unlikely to reach the rates seen in older mailed surveys. Researchers need to design online survey studies to be easily accessible, concise, and appealing to participants.