EFFECTS OF BENEFITS APPEALS, MANDATORY APPEALS, AND VARIATIONS IN STATEMENTS OF CONFIDENTIALITY ON COMPLETION RATES FOR CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRES

This study examines the effects of two different prominently displayed appeals in combination with two different prominently displayed confidentiality assurances on mail-back completion rates for census questionnaires. The experiment was carried out on a national probability sample of 30,000 househo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public opinion quarterly 1996-10, Vol.60 (3), p.376-389
Main Authors: DILLMAN, DON A., SINGER, ELEANOR, CLARK, JON R., TREAT, JAMES B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral decision theory
Census
Census forms
Censuses
Comparative studies
Completion
Confidentiality
Data analysis
Factors
History, theory and methodology
Housing units
Legal aspects
Mail services
Mail Surveys
Methodology
Methodology (Data Collection)
Opinion polls
Patient confidentiality
Polls & surveys
Population
Public opinion
Questionnaires
Research Responses
Response rates
Sociology
Statistical analysis
Survey responses
Surveys
U.S.A
USA
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Summary:This study examines the effects of two different prominently displayed appeals in combination with two different prominently displayed confidentiality assurances on mail-back completion rates for census questionnaires. The experiment was carried out on a national probability sample of 30,000 household units, using occupant-addressed questionnaires that contained the content of the 1990 decennial census short form. Neither the benefits appeal nor the variation between two confidentiality assurances had a significant effect on completion rates. The mandatory appeal, however, significantly improved completion rates, even when it appeared on the envelope only.
ISSN:0033-362X
1537-5331
DOI:10.1086/297759