title: An analysis of response rate and economic costs between mail and web-based surveys among practicing dentists: a randomized trial.
abstract: This study explored the economic costs and response rate of mail and web-based surveys with practicing dentists. A random sample of 6,000 practicing dentists was randomly assigned into three groups of 2,000: choice (mail or web-based), postal mail, or web-based. The Florida Tobacco Control Survey 2009, which is composed of 28 questions (including subject demographic questions), served as the survey instrument. A total of 1,232 surveys were returned by the three different groups (21% overall response rate). Response rates were best for the mail (26%) with the worst response rate coming from the Web group (11%). However, a cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that web surveys were 2.68 times more cost effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. patrick@nova.edu
authors.forename: Patrick C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hardigan
authors.forename: Claudia Tammy
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Succar
authors.forename: Jay M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fleisher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011177:Postal Service / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult