Comparing $5 and $2 Incentives for Survey Responses
Author Information
Author(s): Joan M. Griffin, Alisha Baines, Erin Hulbert, John Stevenson, Joseph P. Grill, Siamak Noorbaloochi, Melissa R. Partin
Primary Institution: Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research (CCDOR), Minneapolis VA Health System
Hypothesis
Those receiving a $5 incentive would be more likely to respond than those receiving a $2 incentive, and the $5 incentive would be more cost-effective.
Conclusion
A $5 incentive leads to a higher response rate than a $2 incentive if only one survey mailing is used, but not if two mailings are used.
Supporting Evidence
- A $5 incentive produced a significantly higher response rate than a $2 incentive after the first mailing.
- After the second mailing, the response rates were similar between the $5 and $2 groups.
- Respondents were more likely to be male, white, married, and aged 50-75.
Takeaway
Giving people $5 instead of $2 makes them more likely to fill out a survey, but if you ask them twice, the difference isn't as big.
Methodology
1,328 non-responders were randomly assigned to receive $5 or $2 and a short survey by mail, with follow-up reminders and a second survey without incentive for non-respondents.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to unmeasured factors affecting response rates.
Limitations
Randomization was not successful, leading to imbalances in demographics between groups, and some demographic data were not available for non-respondents.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily male, white, married, and aged 50-75.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.47
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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