The Impact on Response Rates of Adding a Survey Supplement

• Activity Number: 444
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 6, 2013 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Holly Shulman*+
• Companies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Keywords: survey supplement ; response rates ; survey

Abstract

Survey length is thought to have an impact on response rates. We examine the impact on response rates of adding a one-page, 14-question supplement to a mixed-mode survey. To respond quickly to the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, a survey supplement on vaccine uptake was added to the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a state population-based survey. 30 of the 38 states conducting PRAMS implemented the supplement. By mail, the supplement was stapled to the back of the mail survey booklet. By telephone, the extra questions were asked at the end of the interview. We compared mail response rates and overall response rates after the supplement was implemented with response rates immediately before the supplement, with rates at the same time the previous year, and with rates experienced by states not implementing the supplement. Response rates increased in 14 states, decreased in 13 states, and did not change in 3 states after the supplement was added. The median mail and overall response rates among the 30 states were identical before and after the supplement was added, 53% and 66%, respectively. In conclusion, the supplement did not systematically decrease response rates.