The Potential of Mail Surveys

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Abstract
Surveys conducted by mail have often been regarded, sometimes justifiably, as strategies that are inferior to personal interviews for col lecting social science data from the contemporary population. But as the costs of conducting face-to-face interviews increase, and as the need for representative data becomes more pressing, it becomes increasingly important to examine closely the alternatives to personal interview surveys. This paper presents the results of a trial designed to assess the feasibility of using mailed questionnaires for surveys of the general population in Australia. From a 36 page questionnaire a very high (78 per cent) response rate was achieved. The overall success of the experi ment suggests that mailed questionnaires have greater potential for use in surveys of the general population than has yet been realised in Australian research.

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