Effects of Anonymity and Social Setting on Survey Responses

Anonymity was tested by placing an identifying number on half of the questionnaires on a mail survey designed to elicit reactions from teachers concerning teacher unions. Bias due to social setting was tested by mailing half the questionnaires to teachers at their home addresses, the other half to teachers at their school addresses. In a two-by-two factorial design, anonymity and social setting had no appreciable effect on response or speed of return, although social setting did have an effect on return rate. Respondents receiving the questionnaire at their school address had a higher return rate than those receiving it at home