A randomized trial of mailed questionnaires versus telephone interviews: response patterns in a survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Data for health surveys are often collected using either mailed questionnaires, telephone interviews or a combination. Mode of data collection can affect the propensity to refuse to respond and result in different patterns of responses. The objective of this paper is to examine and quantify effects of mode of data collection in health surveys.

Methods

A stratified sample of 4,000 adults residing in Denmark was randomised to mailed questionnaires or computer-assisted telephone interviews. 45 health-related items were analyzed; four concerning behaviour and 41 concerning self assessment. Odds ratios for more positive answers and more frequent use of extreme response categories (both positive and negative) among telephone respondents compared to questionnaire respond

SUBMITTER: Feveile H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1925106 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature