title: The telephone survey method: a discussion paper.
abstract: The telephone survey method is discussed in the light of the experiences of one research team investigating case management practices among nurses working in the community using a multiple-method design. An account is given of the strategies employed to recruit a study sample, minimize non-response and bias and ensure the use of sound practices during data collection. The findings highlight the benefits of using the telephone survey method when recruiting respondents across a wide geographical area and/or working within a continually changing environment. However, the findings also highlight the challenge of non-response caused by non-contact and the resource implications of 'doing more' to recruit key informants via the telephone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Studies, King's College London, England.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Barriball
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: While
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergen
mesh_terms: D019090:Case Management; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone