Combining Web-Based and Mail Surveys Improves Response Rates: A PBRN Study From PRIME Net

Abstract

PURPOSEThe advent of Web-based survey tools has provided the investigator with an alternative to paper-based survey methods that in many instances may be less expensive to implement than traditional paper-based surveys. Newer technology, however, does not diminish the importance of obtaining an adequate response rate. METHODSWe analyzed response rate data obtained from a survey implemented across 3 practice-based research networks (PBRNs) in which the survey was fi rst implemented electronically with 5 rounds of electronic solicitation for an Internet-based questionnaire and then by 2 rounds of a paper-based version mailed only to nonresponders.RESULTS Overall, 24% of the total survey responses received were in the paper mode despite intense promotion of the survey in the electronic phase.CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest there is still an important role for the use of paper-based methods in PBRN survey research. Both hard copy and electronic survey collection methods may be required to enhance clinician response rates in PBRNs. INTRODUCTIONR esearch using surveys for data collection is common in practicebased research networks (PBRNs). The continuing growth of electronic communications, potential for cost savings, and more rapid results has created interest in Internet-based survey designs. Regardless of the method or technology used in performing a survey, it is clear that an adequate response rate is still critical to the scientifi c validity of survey fi ndings.1 Several investigators have shown that the mode of the survey measurably affects response rates in various biomedical venues.2 Our objective was to ascertain the value of a paper follow-up to an electronically based survey conducted on clinicians across 3 PBRNs . METHODSWe performed a secondary, retrospective analysis on data obtained from a completed survey on clinician attitudes toward the screening and treatment of hepatitis C. The survey was conducted in the Primary Care Multi-Ethnic Research Network (PRIME Net).3 At the time of this study, PRIME Net was a collaboration of W EB -BA SED A ND M A IL SURV E Y SThe survey instrument 7 consisted of 28 questions exploring clinicians' approaches to hepatitis C in their practices and available resources for care of patients infected with the hepatitis C virus.Invitations to participate in the survey were sent to all 805 active clinician members of the 3 PRIME Net PBRNs for whom a valid e-mail and postal address was available. Before the survey began, clinicians received 1 or more advance e-mail messages from their home PBRN describing the purpose of the survey and requesting participation.At the start of the survey, each clinician received a personalized e-mail solicitation from his or her home PBRN with a link to the Web-based version of the survey. The customized link had the target's unique identifying code embedded to provide automatic log-in and response identifi cation. We repeated the e-mail solicitation to nonresponders at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks for a total of 5 e-mail solicitations. ...

Increasing response rates to lifestyle surveys: A pragmatic evidence review

“…Despite the rapid growth in electronic communication and the potential for cost-savings this offers, the postal questionnaire remains an important lifestyle survey tool 19 . However, the response rate to postal surveys has increasingly declined in recent years 3 .…”

“…Face-toface and telephone interview survey modes are recommended to supplement data from postal surveys and increase response rates from some population groups, but these methods are often associated with increased costs. Electronic surveys may offer a cheaper alternative, but the evidence seems to suggest that the use of the internet does not appear to increase overall response rates 19,20 . One explanation could be the internet survey's shorter history, meaning less time and attention have been devoted to developing and testing motivational tools to increase internet survey response in comparison with, say, postal surveys (e.g.…”

Risk reducing salpingectomy and delayed oophorectomy in high risk women: views of cancer geneticists, genetic counsellors and gynaecological oncologists in the UK

“…However, similar levels of response have been reported in other questionnaire based surveys, [50,51] and responses in web/electronic surveys are lower than postal/faceto-face ones. [52,53] Besides our survey is broadly representative of both gynaecologists and geneticists involved in the care of high risk women in the UK.…”

Social Enterprise and Christian School Finance: Receptivity of ACSI Christian School Leaders in Mid-America

“…Use of a multimode approach has been suggested by some research to increase response rates (Converse, Wolfe, Huang, & Oswald 2008;Kroth et. al.…”