Response Rates for Mixed-Mode Surveys Using Mail and E-mail/Web

1. Patrick D. Converse
   1. Florida Institute of Technology, pconvers@fit.edu

1. Edward W. Wolfe
   1. Virginia Tech

1. Xiaoting Huang
   1. University of California, Berkeley

1. Frederick L. Oswald
   1. Michigan State University

Abstract

This study examines response rates for mixed-mode survey implementation involving mail and e-mail/Web components. Using Dillman's Tailored Design Method, 1,500 participants were sent a survey either (a) via mail with a follow-up contact via e-mail that directed them to a Web-based questionnaire or (b) via e-mail that directed them to a Web-based questionnaire with a follow-up contact via mail. Results indicate that these mixed-mode procedures produce moderately high response rates. However, the mail survey tended to be more effective than the e-mail/Web survey, when serving either as the initial contact or as the follow-up contact. These results suggest that survey implementation involving mail followed by e-mail/Web, or even mail-only approaches, may result in larger samples than implementation involving e-mail/Web followed by mail.

Response Rates for Mixed-Mode Surveys Using Mail and E-mail/Web