Differential response rates in postal and Web-based surveys in older respondents

Response rates were compared across a postal and a Web-based survey containing the same questions about preferences for future for the design of future nursing homes which were sent to a random sample of 10,000 individuals aged 50-75 years. The 10,000 individuals were randomly allocated to receive a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Survey research methods 2009-03, Vol.3 (1)
Main Authors: Mickael Bech, Morten Bo Kristensen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
online survey
postal survey
response behaviour
response rates
survey research
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Response rates were compared across a postal and a Web-based survey containing the same questions about preferences for future for the design of future nursing homes which were sent to a random sample of 10,000 individuals aged 50-75 years. The 10,000 individuals were randomly allocated to receive a postal questionnaire or a letter with a Web link to an online version of the same questionnaire. The Web-based survey gave a significantly lower response rate than the postal survey. The Web-based version improved the sample representativeness with respect to gender but worsened the representativeness with respect to age. Respondents' characteristics in the Web-based survey differed significantly from those of respondents in the postal survey with respect to income, education, civil status and health status. The Web-based version improved data quality by significantly lowering the number of item non-response and 'don't know' answers. Respondents found it easier to answer the Web-based survey. The cost per response was significantly higher for the Web-based survey because of the significantly lower response rate compared to the postal survey.
ISSN:1864-3361
DOI:10.18148/srm/2009.v3i1.592