Survey Self Administered: Mail

[Description] [Pros] [Cons] [Common Uses] [Resources]

Description

Questionnaires or survey forms are filled out by the respondents themselves. Clarity in question design and instructions for completion are important.

When using mail to administer, questionnaires or survey forms are sent to potential subjects for them to complete on their own time and mail back to researchers.

Pros

• Generalizable results (if sufficiently large, probability sample with high response rate)
• Can be anonymous (especially useful for highly sensitive topics)
• Respondents can answer questions when most convenient for them
• Can collect both program data and personal data (e.g., participant characteristics)
• Does not require staff time to interact with target population
• Can be used to access difficult-to-reach populations (e.g., the homebound, rural populations)
• Can incorporate visual material (e.g., can pretest prototype materials)

Cons

• Not appropriate for respondents who cannot read or write
• Low response rate diminishes value of results
• May require follow-up by mail or telephone to increase response rate (increases total costs)
• Respondents may return incomplete questionnaires
• Limited ability to probe answers

Common Uses

• Obtain baseline data
• Acquire self-reported information on behaviors, behavioral intentions, attitudes
• Determine message's reach, attention-getting ability
• Test knowledge, comprehension

Resources

See an example of a survey administered by mail regarding domestic violence and sexual assault services and funding sources. Domestic Violence Survey.pdf

Dillman, D.A. 2000. Mail and Internet Surveys: The Tailored Design Method. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.