Multi-Mode and Method Experiment in a Study of Nurses

A 4-arm randomized experiment to compare paper versus Web survey completion of a questionnaire to study working conditions in outpatient cancer settings observed modest differences in response rates, with the paper-only completion group with the highest response rate.

Abstract

Multi-Mode and Method Experiment in a Study of NursesWe conducted a 4-arm randomized experiment to compare paper versus Web survey completion of a questionnaire to study working conditions in outpatient cancer settings.We used a mailing list of nurses licensed to practice in North Carolina that contained names and last known mailing addresses, and varied both data collection mode (mail and Web surveys) and method of implementation (mail survey only, mail survey with a delayed Web option, Web survey with a delayed mail option, and a full Web/mail option).Because e-mail addresses or telephone numbers were not available, all respondent contacts used first-class mail.We observed modest differences in response rates, with the paper-only completion group with the highest response rate.Demographic characteristics did not vary across groups.Cost per completion differences were significant between the groups; the mail only option was the most efficient solution.