title: Influence of paper color and a monetary incentive on response rate.
abstract: This study examined whether survey response rate differed based on the color of the paper the survey was printed on (blue vs green) and presence of a monetary incentive. A 4-page survey on eating disorders was mailed to Division 1A and 1AA college head athletic trainers (N=223) with half of the surveys on blue paper and half on green paper. Half of the athletic trainers (n = 111) received a $1.00 monetary incentive, and half (n = 112) received no monetary incentive. A total of 166 (71%) athletic trainers returned completed surveys. Response rates did not differ based on survey color but did differ based on presence of a monetary incentive. Athletic trainers who received a monetary incentive were significantly more likely than those who did not to return completed surveys (86% vs 63%, respectively).
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion and Education Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0002, USA. keith.king@uc.edu
authors.forename: Keith A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vaughan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003118:Color Perception; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010209:Paper; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires