Response rates to mail surveys published in medical journals
Response rates to mail surveys published in medical journals
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DOI：
10.1016/s0895-4356(97)00126-1
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发表时间：
1997-10-01
影响因子：
7.2
通讯作者：
Christakis, NA
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Asch, DA;Jedrziewski, MK;Christakis, NA
Objective.本研究的目的是描述在医学期刊上发表的邮件调查的响应率;确定邮件调查的典型目标受试者之间的响应率如何变化;并评估调查人员使用的几种技术对提高响应率的贡献。方法. 1991年出版的178份手稿，代表了321份不同的邮件调查，被提取以确定答复率和调查技术。在后续的邮件调查中，这些手稿的113位作者提供了补充信息。结果在医学期刊上发表的邮件调查的平均回复率约为60%。然而，答复率因所研究的主题和所使用的技术而异。已发表的医生调查的平均回复率仅为54%，而非医生的平均回复率为68%。此外，多变量模型表明，与文书副本一起提供的书面提醒和电话提醒的回复率比不使用这些技术的调查高出约13%。其他技术，如匿名和财政奖励，与更高的答复率无关。结论.虽然一些邮件调查技术与较高的答复率，答复率公布的邮件调查往往是中等。然而，一项调查的答复率充其量只能间接表明非答复者偏见的程度。研究者、期刊编辑和读者应该更多地关注偏倚的评估，而不是特定的应答率阈值。(C)1997年爱思唯尔科学公司
Objective. The purpose of this study was to characterize response rates for mail surveys published in medical journals; to determine how the response rate among subjects who are typical targets of mail surveys varies; and to evaluate the contribution of several techniques used by investigators to enhance response rates. Methods. One hundred seventy-eight manuscripts published in 1991, representing 321 distinct mail surveys, were abstracted to determine response rates and survey techniques. In a follow-up mail survey, 113 authors of these manuscripts provided supplementary information. Results. The mean response rate among mail surveys published in medical journals is approximately 60%. However, response rates vary according to subject studied and techniques used. Published surveys of physicians have a mean response rate of only 54%, and those of non-physicians have a mean response rate of 68%. In addition, multivariable models suggest that written reminders provided with a copy of the instrument and telephone reminders are each associated with response rates about 13% higher than surveys that do not use these techniques. Other techniques, such as anonymity and financial incentives, are not associated with higher response rates. Conclusions. Although several mail survey techniques are associated with higher response rates, response rates to published mail surveys tend to be moderate. However, a survey's response rate is at best an indirect indication of the extent of non-respondent bias. Investigators, journal editors, and readers should devote more attention to assessments of bias, and less to specific response rate thresholds. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.