IN MAIL SURVEYS OF DIFFICULT POPULATIONS

Many different techniques have been used to increase response rates to surveys._In this study, Federal Express overnight service was used to test the effectiveness of express mail in stimulating response to a mail survey of 132 physicians. The sample was randomly, split into two groups. One group received the initial 'mailing by Federal Express while the other group received the survey by regular first class mail. The average cost per complete survey for Federal Express was $27.07, and for first class mail $21.63. Although Federal Express was more expensive, the results showed that the Federal Express mailing achieved a higher response rate and that people responded faster to the survey delivered by Federal Express. Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made rom the original document