Compare and contrast the response rates of the four basic survey methods. Are there methods to increase any of these response rates?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The four basic survey methods include mail surveys, telephone surveys, online surveys, and personal interview surveys. A mail survey is less expensive than a telephone or personal interview survey as long as the response rate is high enough to produce reliable results. A major disadvantage of this method is the possibility of a low response rate. One method of improving response rates involves attaching a brief personal message on a Post-it note to the survey packet. Premiums or incentives that encourage respondents to return questionnaires have been effective in developing panels of respondents who are interviewed regularly by mail.A telephone survey has some advantages over a mail survey. The rate of response is higher because it takes less effort to answer the telephone and talk than to fill out and return a questionnaire. If enough interviewers are available, a telephone survey can be conducted very quickly. However, only a small proportion of the population likes to participate in telephone surveys or interviews. This can significantly limit participation and distort representation. Many households are excluded from telephone directories by choice (unlisted numbers) or because the residents moved after the directory was published. Potential respondents often use telephone answering machines, voice mail, or caller ID to screen or block calls; additionally, millions have signed up for "Do Not Call Lists." Moreover, an increasing number of Americans are giving up their fixed telephone lines in favor of cellular or wireless phones. These issues have serious implications for the use of telephone samples in conducting surveys or interviews.In an online survey, questionnaires can be transmitted to respondents either through e-mail or through a website. Marketing researchers often send these surveys to online panel samples purchased from professional brokers or put together by the company. The potential advantages of online surveys are quick response and lower cost than traditional mail, telephone, and personal interview surveys if the response rate is adequate. Marketers can use digital media forums such as chat rooms, blogs, newsgroups, social networks, and research communities to identify trends in interests and consumption patterns.In a personal interview survey, participants respond to questions face to face. Respondents can be selected more carefully, and reasons for nonresponse can be explored. Today, many personal interviews are conducted in shopping malls. Shopping mall intercept interviews involve interviewing a percentage of individuals who pass by an "intercept" point in a mall. Like any face-to-face interviewing method, mall intercept interviewing has many advantages.