Lessons Learned From Using An Ill-Conceived Nonmonetary, Prepaid Incentive In A Self-Administered Survey Of College Students

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine how effective a prepaid, nonmonetary incentive would be at inducing college students to participate in a self-administered survey. The experiment was conducted on two college campuses in Los Angeles County. As students exited their campus library, an interviewer approached them for an interview. Half of those approached were offered a prepaid, nonmonetary incentive; the other half were not. Contrary to expectations, the prepaid, nonmonetary incentive dampened the response rate to the survey. Explanations are offered as to why the incentive was counterproductive.