Maximizing Response Rates in Household Telephone Surveys
Author Information
Author(s): O'Toole Joanne, Sinclair Martha, Leder Karin
Primary Institution: Monash University
Hypothesis
What strategies can be employed to improve response rates in household telephone surveys?
Conclusion
Using a combination of strategies can effectively maximize telephone response rates, but alternatives like internet-based surveys should be considered due to declining telephone directory listings.
Supporting Evidence
- The CATI response rate for eligible households was 39%.
- 55% of households had matching electoral and telephone directory records.
- 84% of households were contacted by telephone with only 4% having invalid numbers.
Takeaway
This study shows that sending letters before calling people and training interviewers can help get more people to answer surveys over the phone.
Methodology
A computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) was conducted with randomly selected households in Sydney, Australia, focusing on their water usage.
Potential Biases
There is a risk of selection bias due to the non-response of households without listed telephone numbers.
Limitations
The effectiveness of individual strategies could not be assessed, and the representativeness of the sample may be questioned due to the reliance on telephone directory listings.
Participant Demographics
Households in metropolitan Sydney, including those supplied with recycled water and those with conventional tap water.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95%
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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