Addressing nonresponse bias in postal surveys.

Postal surveys are sometimes thought of as a simple option for collecting data in community-based studies; however, nurse researchers must exercise care in appropriately addressing the issue of nonresponse. In particular, both the reporters and the users of such research should look beyond survey re...

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Publicado en:Public Health Nursing Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 95 - 106
Autores principales: MacDonald SE, Newburn-Cook CV, Schopflocher D, Richter S
Formato: case study review tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Jan/Feb2009
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Addressing nonresponse bias in postal surveys.
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          MacDonald SE
          Newburn-Cook CV
          Schopflocher D
          Richter S
        affil: Doctoral student, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, 4-103 Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G3; smacdon@ualberta.ca
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          Mail
          Nonresponse Bias
          Surveys
          Bias (Research)
          Content Validity
          Data Analysis, Statistical Methods
          Refusal to Participate
          Research Subject Recruitment Methods
          Research, Nursing
          Sampling Error
          Study Design
      ab: Postal surveys are sometimes thought of as a simple option for collecting data in community-based studies; however, nurse researchers must exercise care in appropriately addressing the issue of nonresponse. In particular, both the reporters and the users of such research should look beyond survey response rates when considering nonresponse bias. This article describes the benefits of using postal surveys in public health nursing research, while noting the various potential sources of survey error. Particular attention is directed to the implications of low survey response rates, including decreased power, increased standard error, and nonresponse bias. The belief that increasing response rates will necessarily reduce nonresponse bias is discussed, with an emphasis on the need to identify the reasons for nonresponse and to be judicious in the use of strategies to reduce nonresponse bias. Common response-enhancement strategies are identified, while noting the potential for these strategies to increase nonresponse bias. Assessment of the presence and magnitude of nonresponse bias is discussed, and techniques for postsurvey data adjustment are noted. The need to consider nonresponse bias in designing all phases of the study is highlighted, and is exemplified with a case study.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        case study
        review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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