Riding the Wave

Abstract

We investigate a mail survey research issue that has received little attention in the literature: the timing of follow-up efforts. Our data indicate that there is no relationship between the number of elapsed days between waves and response rate; these findings are based on follow-up mailings sent to each of 20 different treatment groups, testing follow-up intervals ranging from three to 60 days. The implications of these findings are quite meaningful. When timeliness of mail survey responses is an important consideration, or when history and maturation biases are legitimate concerns, survey researchers should follow up sooner rather than later. A quick follow-up strategy will not jeopardize response rates.