A research routine to assess bias introduced by low response rates in postal surveys

Journal article


Ford, Rosemary and Bammer, Gabriele. (2009). A research routine to assess bias introduced by low response rates in postal surveys. Nurse Researcher. 17(1), pp. 44 - 53. https://doi.org/10.7748/nr2009.10.17.1.44.c7338
AuthorsFord, Rosemary and Bammer, Gabriele
Abstract

Low response rates to postal surveys potentially bias study results. We used three approaches to determine why 46 per cent of a sample were non-responders, and to analyse any potential bias. Labour force data, telephone interviews with a number of non-responders and trend examination showed that our study sample was no different to the known nursing population, that there were few differences between responders and non-responders and that there were no trends in differences between early and late responders respectively. Results suggest ‘intenders’, or potential responders who do not complete and return the survey, are a key factor in non-response in surveys of nurses. Analysis for response bias increases confidence in the interpretations and conclusions of any study and should therefore become standard survey practice.

Keywordsnursing; bias; postal survey; response status; non-response
Year2009
JournalNurse Researcher
Journal citation17 (1), pp. 44 - 53
PublisherRCN Publishing Company Ltd
ISSN1351-5578
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.7748/nr2009.10.17.1.44.c7338
Page range44 - 53
Research GroupSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
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