The Effects Of Delivery Mode Upon Survey Response Rate And Perceived Attitudes Of Texas Agri-Science Teachers

Abstract

Research was conducted to determine response rates and response reliability between three modes of survey techniques. Random samples of Texas Agri-Science teachers were surveyed using an e-mail instrument, a web-based instrument, and a traditional paper instrument. Responses among each mode were compared to determine if the mode of survey has an impact on the data collected. Response rates for each mode were also determined and compared. Researchers found that while there were no significant differences in reliability of responses, there were significant differences in response rates based on mode of collection. Traditional paper surveys yielded the high response rate at 60% with a significant drop to the web surveys at 43%, along with another significant decline to the e-mail surveys at 27%. The researchers propose a bi-modal method of data collection to minimize costs and time. Using data collected from this study, the researchers advocate a 25-day model of five individual contacts beginning with e-mail notifications of web surveys and concluding with follow-ups using traditional paper instruments. Further testing of this bi-modal survey model is encouraged. Other populations should be tested in order to add to the knowledge base in this increasingly important field.