OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to characterize response rates for mail surveys published in medical journals; to determine how the response rate among subjects who are typical targets of mail surveys varies; and to evaluate the contribution of several techniques used by investigators to enhance response rates.

METHODS:One hundred seventy-eight manuscripts published in 1991, representing 321 distinct mail surveys, were abstracted to determine response rates and survey techniques. In a follow-up mail survey, 113 authors of these manuscripts provided supplementary information.

RESULTS:The mean response rate among mail surveys published in medical journals is approximately 60%. However, response rates vary according to subject studied and techniques used. Published surveys of physicians have a mean response rate of only 54%, and those of non-physicians have a mean response rate of 68%. In addition, multivariable models suggest that written reminders provided with a copy of the instrument and telephone reminders are each associated with response rates about 13% higher than surveys that do not use these techniques. Other techniques, such as anonymity and financial incentives, are not associated with higher response rates.

CONCLUSIONS:Although several mail survey techniques are associated with higher response rates, response rates to published mail surveys tend to be moderate. However, a survey's response rate is at best an indirect indication of the extent of non-respondent bias. Investigators, journal editors, and readers should devote more attention to assessments of bias, and less to specific response rate thresholds.

译文

目标 : 本研究的目的是描述医学期刊上发表的邮件调查的回复率; 确定作为邮件调查典型目标的受试者的回复率如何变化; 并评估研究人员用于提高响应率的几种技术的贡献。
方法 : 提取了1991年发表的代表321份不同邮件调查的78份手稿,以确定响应率和调查技术。在后续的邮件调查中,这些手稿的113作者提供了补充信息。
结果 : 医学期刊上发表的邮件调查的平均回复率约为60%。但是,响应率根据所研究的主题和所使用的技术而有所不同。已发表的医师调查的平均缓解率仅为54%,非医师的平均缓解率为68%。此外,多变量模型表明,随仪器副本和电话提醒一起提供的书面提醒与响应率相关,比不使用这些技术的调查高出约13%。其他技术,例如匿名性和财务激励措施,与较高的响应率无关。
结论 : 尽管几种邮件调查技术与较高的响应率相关,但对已发布邮件调查的响应率往往适中。但是,调查的回复率充其量是对非受访者偏见程度的间接指示。研究人员,期刊编辑和读者应将更多的注意力放在偏见的评估上,而应减少对特定响应率阈值的关注。

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