Abstract
Objectives To investigate responses rates and factors affecting response rate of dentists to mailed questionnaires and to suggest methods of improving the response.
Data sources Hand search of the British Dental Journal, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, Journal of American Dental Association and Dental Update 1989–1992.
Study selection All papers including mailed questionnaires were included. (Some copies of JADA in 1992 were not searched).
Data extraction Various aspects of questionnaire design were noted and a simple subjective assessment of the length of the questionnaire into three categories was made (simple, moderate and complicated). Overall response rate was measured as was the status of the respondents and their country of origin.
Results Of the 3140 papers examined 2.5% (77) involved questionnaires. Response rates varied from 17–100%. Simple questionnaires produce a higher response rate than complex ones (60% compared with 72%). Higher response rates were obtained from those carried out in Australia or Canada (3 studies only) and which were short in length (less than 10 questions or requiring no written answers). The use of various incentives such as reply paid envelopes, reminders, appears to increase response rate the highest responses being in those questionnaires with more incentives.
Conclusion The subject of the questionnaire, incentives offered and the length of the questionnaire may be factors involved in the response rates to mailed questionnaires. The authors suggest many methods for increasing response rates derived from a further review of the literature. Other possible factors include advanced notification, appearance and personalisation of the questionnaire, presence and wording of a covering letter asking for help and stressing the importance of the survey, confidentiality and well timed reminders.
Tan R T, Burke F J T. Response rates to questionnaires mailed to dentists. A review of 77 publications. Int Dent J 1997; 47: 349–354
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Address: F J T Burke, University of Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ, UK
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Bruce, M. Incentives, subject matter and length of questionnaire affect response rates. Evid Based Dent 1, 15 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6490009
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6490009