Response is increased using postal rather than electronic questionnaires - new results from an updated Cochrane...

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Health Research Methods

Background:

• Historically, paper questionnaires were prevalent in epidemiology.
• Increasing internet access prompts re-evaluation of questionnaire administration methods.
• Understanding response rate differences is crucial for designing self-administered surveys.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare response rates between electronic and postal questionnaires.
• To assess the impact of offering a choice of questionnaire mode on response rates.

Main Methods:

• Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from a Cochrane Review.
• Pooled odds ratios for response rates using random-effects models.
• Exploration of heterogeneity using subgroup analyses and assessment of reporting bias.

Main Results:

• Postal questionnaires showed increased response rates compared to electronic questionnaires (OR=1.43).
• Offering a choice of postal or electronic modes increased response compared to electronic only (OR=1.63).
• No significant difference in response rates when offering a choice compared to postal only (OR=0.94).

Conclusions:

• Postal questionnaires are preferable to electronic modes for maximizing response rates.
• Offering a choice of questionnaire mode (postal or electronic) is recommended to enhance participation.