| Timing payments to subjects of mail surveys: cost-effectiveness and bias. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 7490595 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Although mailed surveys are an important component of epidemiological research, results from mailed surveys are often suspect because of poor response rates and the potential for nonresponse bias. Previous work has demonstrated that paying subjects to complete questionnaires increases response rates, but this work has not well addressed the impact of the timing of incentives on total cost, cost effectiveness, and response bias. We surveyed 400 university employees about health benefits. By random allocation, half received a check for $5 along with the mailed survey, and the other half received the promise of $5 on return of a completed survey. The response rates for both groups were about the same (64 and 59%, respectively), but prepayment was less expensive in aggregate and less expensive per response. In addition, we found that subjects with lower salaries were more likely to respond when paid in advance. We conclude that prepayment may actually be less expensive and more cost effective than payment on completion, but that the timing of payment may influence the profile of respondents. |
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Authors:
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M Schweitzer; D A Asch |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of clinical epidemiology Volume: 48 ISSN: 0895-4356 ISO Abbreviation: J Clin Epidemiol Publication Date: 1995 Nov |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1996-01-04 Completed Date: 1996-01-04 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8801383 Medline TA: J Clin Epidemiol Country: ENGLAND |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1325-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Section of General Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Bias (Epidemiology) Cost-Benefit Analysis Data Collection / economics*, methods Health Benefit Plans, Employee Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Humans Income Middle Aged Postal Service* Questionnaires / economics* Time Factors |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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