Commentary: avoid surveys masquerading as research

The past few years have seen a significant increase in the number of questionnaire surveys focused on the attributes, behaviour, attitudes, and beliefs of general practitioners in particular, but also other health care professionals and managers. While surveys often contribute to research methods, not all surveys are research: the difference lies in the type of question they are best equipped to answer and in the inherent sources of error found in any research process. The end point for most surveys is the identification of the current position or baseline—in other words “Where am I now?” Scientific research may require the use of a survey to identify the starting point, but the end point is evidence of “best practice” and an answer to the question, “Where do I want to be?” McAvoy and Kaner review the reasons for general practitioners' non-response to questionnaires and propose several suggestions for improving participation. In general, many factors affect …