title: Exploring how to increase response rates to surveys of older people.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To address the special considerations that need to be taken into account when collecting data from older people in healthcare research.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  An objective of all research studies is to ensure there is an adequate sample size. The final sample size will be influenced by methods of recruitment and data collection, among other factors. There are some special considerations that need to be addressed when collecting data among older people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative surveys of people aged 60 or over in 2009-2014 were analysed using statistical methods. A quantitative study of patients aged 75 or over in an emergency department was used as an example.
  
  
  METHODS
  A methodological approach to analysing quantitative studies concerned with older people.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The best way to ensure high response rates in surveys involving people aged 60 or over is to collect data in the presence of the researcher; response rates are lowest in posted surveys and settings where the researcher is not present when data are collected. Response rates do not seem to vary according to the database from which information about the study participants is obtained or according to who is responsible for recruitment to the survey. Implications for research/practice To conduct coherent studies with older people, the data collection process should be carefully considered.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palonen
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaunonen
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Åstedt-Kurki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: data collection; method; older people; participant recruitment; quantitative study; survey; vulnerable populations