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Investigating non-response bias in mail surveys
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|December 1, 1981
Summary
Investigating bias in follow-up studies is crucial. Even with an 84% response rate in a survey of disabled individuals, non-respondents differed significantly in work and training outcomes, highlighting potential bias.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation research
- Survey methodology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Follow-up study attrition can introduce bias, compromising research validity.
- Non-response bias is a significant concern in studies involving vulnerable populations like disabled individuals.
- Investigating and quantifying non-response bias is essential for accurate interpretation of study outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential non-response bias in a mail survey of disabled individuals.
- To assess the impact of non-response on key outcomes such as return to work and vocational training.
- To identify factors influencing response rates and their relationship with outcome bias.
Main Methods:
- A mail survey was conducted with 2471 disabled individuals.
- Three distinct methods were employed to analyze non-response bias.
- Response rates and outcome differences between respondents and non-respondents were statistically analyzed.
Main Results:
- A response rate of 84% was achieved, with significant differences observed between respondents and non-respondents regarding return to work and vocational training.
- Outcome success rates were negatively correlated with the number of reminders sent.
- Response rates varied significantly based on demographic factors (age, social class) and clinical characteristics (impairments, rehabilitation history).
Conclusions:
- No response rate below 100% can be considered safe from bias.
- Even minimal non-response necessitates investigation for potential bias.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing non-response bias in follow-up studies of disabled populations to ensure result validity.
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