Effects of sampling, follow-up letters, and commitment to participation on mail attitude survey response

Abstract

Conducted 3 studies investigating differences in response rate to mail surveys. Study 1 contrasted response rates for 4 surveys sent to 4,991 employees of a large manufacturing company, representing all members of 2 populations, with rates for 4 similar surveys sent to 2,156 employees, representing systematic samples of 2 comparable populations. Study 2 contrasted rates of response in 3 populations from 1,906 employees who received a follow-up reminder with 3 populations from 3,525 employees who received no follow-up. Study 3 contrasted rates of response of 2,547 employees-half receiving a postcard requesting an immediate participation commitment and half receiving no postcard. Significantly greater response occurred with (a) sampling, (b) follow-ups, and (c) precommitted participation on postcards. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)