Improving Response Rates in Military Surveys

• Activity Number: 185
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, July 30, 2012 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Survey Research Methods
• Author(s): Eric Falk*+ and Phil Masui
• Companies: Defense Manpower Data Center and Defense Manpower Data Center
• Keywords: Military Surveys ; Response Rates ; Notification Methods ; Modes

Abstract

Response rates from military surveys have steadily decreased over the last several years and across all military services and ranks. Survey fatigue, length of time to complete surveys, lack of interest in the subject matter, deployments and other factors have contributed to this decreasing response rate. The most difficult sub-group to survey within all of the services has been the lowest ranking military members which are typically the younger population. The Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) is responsible for conducting the surveys of military members when they include all services (Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force). Since military surveys are not mandatory and incentives are not allowed, DMDC has been actively looking at methods and modes which can improve response rates of their surveys within the constraints of a shrinking federal budget.

This paper will present the response rate results from three recent surveys: 1) 2011 Status of Forces of Active Duty Members, 2) 2011 Status of Forces of Reserve Members and 3) 2011 Federal Voting Assistance Program Uniformed Services, where different notification methods (e-mail only versus paper) and modes (on-line versus phone) w