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Maximising response in an address-based push-to-web survey: adjusting the communication and incentive strategies

  • Publication Type: Understanding Society Working Paper Series
  • Publication date:
  • Series: Understanding Society Working Paper Series

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Abstract

Push-to-web designs, where an offline mode is used to invite sample members to complete a web questionnaire, are increasingly used. This paper presents the results of two intertwined experiments in the context of a push-to-web design. The first experiment gauges the effect of adding an advanced letter, an additional reminder or both to the contact. The second tests the use of a £30 conditional incentive versus a £20 conditional incentive plus a £10 early bird incentive (EBI). The analysis shows the superiority of the advanced letter in increasing the household response rate compared to a third reminder letter, as well as the cost-effectiveness of using the early bird incentive. The results suggest that using advance letters in combination with the early bird incentive is the best strategy to minimise costs whilst increasing response rates.

Link

https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/research/publications/publication-588665/

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