An analysis of response rate and economic costs between mail and web-based surveys among practicing dentists: A randomized trial

Authors

Patrick C. Hardigan, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
C. T. Sucar
J. M. Fleisher

Publication Title

Journal of Community Health

ISSN

0094-5145

Publication Date

4-1-2012

Abstract

This study explored the economic costs and response rate of mail and web-based surveys with practicing dentists. A random sample of 6,000 practicing dentists was randomly assigned into three groups of 2,000: choice (mail or web-based), postal mail, or web-based. The Florida Tobacco Control Survey 2009, which is composed of 28 questions (including subject demographic questions), served as the survey instrument. A total of 1,232 surveys were returned by the three different groups (21% overall response rate). Response rates were best for the mail (26%) with the worst response rate coming from the Web group (11%). However, a cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that web surveys were 2.68 times more cost effective.

DOI

10.1007/s10900-011-9455-6

Volume

37

Issue

2

First Page

383

Last Page

394

Disciplines

Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences | Osteopathic Medicine and Osteopathy

NSUWorks Citation

Hardigan, Patrick C.; Sucar, C. T.; and Fleisher, J. M., "An analysis of response rate and economic costs between mail and web-based surveys among practicing dentists: A randomized trial" (2012). Faculty Articles. 370.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_com_faculty_articles/370