Solving the Low Survey Return Rate Dilemma

What is a major problem with mail surveys?

The survey return rate is actually low

Explanation:

A survey is simply the systematic gathering or collection of information from individuals and it has 3 (three) different research methods which are the Experimental, quasi-experimental and Non-experimental. In a survey, it entails Information gathering - polls, census, attitudes and theory testing/building, personality traits, social psychology.

Mail Survey is defined simply as a self-administered, mail-back variety of questionnaire in which a stamped, addressed return envelope is enclosed.

Advantages include affordable wide geographical reach and possibly more representative results. However, there are also disadvantages such as nonresponsiveness, possible differences between respondents and nonrespondents, and the slowness of response to follow-up attempts.

Survey return rate is low when responsiveness is poor.

When it comes to conducting surveys, one common method is through mail surveys. This method involves sending questionnaires to participants via mail and requesting them to fill out and return the surveys. While mail surveys can be cost-effective and reach a wide geographical area, a major issue with this method is the low survey return rate.

The low survey return rate in mail surveys can be attributed to various factors, including nonresponsiveness from participants, differences in characteristics between respondents and nonrespondents, and the time it takes for participants to respond to follow-up attempts. These factors can result in incomplete data and affect the overall validity and reliability of the survey results.

To address the low survey return rate in mail surveys, researchers can consider implementing strategies to increase participant engagement and motivation to respond. This may involve providing incentives for completing the survey, sending reminders to participants, and ensuring the survey is user-friendly and easy to understand.

Overall, while mail surveys can be a convenient method for gathering information from a large sample size, researchers should be aware of the challenges associated with low survey return rates and take proactive measures to mitigate these issues for more reliable and accurate survey data.