A research routine to assess bias introduced by low response rates in postal surveys
Journal article
Ford, Rosemary and Bammer, Gabriele. (2009). A research routine to assess bias introduced by low response rates in postal surveys. Nurse Researcher. 17(1), pp. 44 - 53. https://doi.org/10.7748/nr2009.10.17.1.44.c7338
Authors | Ford, Rosemary and Bammer, Gabriele |
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Abstract | Low response rates to postal surveys potentially bias study results. We used three approaches to determine why 46 per cent of a sample were non-responders, and to analyse any potential bias. Labour force data, telephone interviews with a number of non-responders and trend examination showed that our study sample was no different to the known nursing population, that there were few differences between responders and non-responders and that there were no trends in differences between early and late responders respectively. Results suggest ‘intenders’, or potential responders who do not complete and return the survey, are a key factor in non-response in surveys of nurses. Analysis for response bias increases confidence in the interpretations and conclusions of any study and should therefore become standard survey practice. |
Keywords | nursing; bias; postal survey; response status; non-response |
Year | 2009 |
Journal | Nurse Researcher |
Journal citation | 17 (1), pp. 44 - 53 |
Publisher | RCN Publishing Company Ltd |
ISSN | 1351-5578 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.7748/nr2009.10.17.1.44.c7338 |
Page range | 44 - 53 |
Research Group | School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine |
Place of publication | United Kingdom |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/87v79/a-research-routine-to-assess-bias-introduced-by-low-response-rates-in-postal-surveys
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