Does anonymity increase response rate in postal questionnaire surveys about sensitive subjects? A randomised trial
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11176306 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Moray J Campbell (0000-0002-3355-0928, University of Southampton), W E Waters (University of Southampton) |
| Year | 1990 |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 75-76 |
| Publication date | 1990-03-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0143-005X • E-ISSN: 1470-2738 |
| Publisher | BMJ (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1136/jech.44.1.75 |
| PMID | 2348155 |
| OpenAlex | W2042275844 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 9 |
| References cited | 3 |
STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim of the study was to determine whether complete anonymity improves the response rates to a postal questionnaire. DESIGN--The study derived from a series of postal surveys on AIDS knowledge conducted on six different dates in 1986 and 1987. The sample was randomly divided into two, each group being sent the same questionnaire. One group was informed that the replies were anonymous, the other that they were not. The latter were sent reminders. SETTING--Recipients of the questionnaires were drawn from the Southampton electoral rolls. PARTICIPANTS--300 people in each survey (total 1800) were sent questionnaires, representing on each occasion a different 1:500 systematic sample. RESULTS--Response rate was 49% for the anonymous questionnaires and 51% for the numbered questionnaires. Reminders boosted the response in the numbered group to 72%. CONCLUSIONS--There is no evidence that anonymity improves response to postal questionnaires, but the use of reminders may do so
Anonymity · Computer security · Family medicine · Randomized controlled trial · Sample (material) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Medicine · Surgery · Survey Methodology and Nonresponse · Survey Sampling and Estimation Techniques
The Impact of Anonymity on Responses to Sensitive Questions 1
Methods to increase response to postal and electronic questionnaires
Religiosity and psychological health
Conserving Biodiversity in Farm Animals
Does requesting sensitive information on postal questionnaires have an impact on response rates? A randomised controlled trial in the south west of England
Demographic characteristics and health behaviours of consenters to medical examination. Results from the Welsh Heart Health Survey
Assessment of Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attitudes, and Sexual Risk in Sweden (1989–2003)
Sexual behaviour in the general population of Sweden
Effects of Identifiers in Mail Surveys
| Citations per year | 0.26 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 1992 - 2022 (31) |
| Highly cited | No |