Stimulating Responses to Mailed Questionnaires: A Review

This study collates findings from the available research literature of sociology, psychology, business, and education on techniques to increase responses to mailed questionnaires. Among the techniques reviewed here are those that employ mechanical or perceptual means to facilitate responses, those that use broad motivational factors to build on social and personal values of the respondent, and those that offer direct rewards for return of questionnaires. It is concluded that a change in over-all research strategy may be necessary to increase our ability to ensure high mail-questionnaire returns.