data collection lesson

Face-to-face: Has a high response rate, up to 98%. It is also an expensive technique requiring training of interviewers and several call-backs to households.

Telephone Interviews: Costs more than a mail survey but can be completely in a shorter time frame. Has a comparable response rate to face-to-face interviews but a better response rate than mail surveys. Problems associated with phone samples:

not everyone has a telephone, and some people prefer not to be listed in the phone directory.
not a current source of information, it is only printed once a year.

Random Digit Dialing (RDD)

Two-digit RDD is the most popular form of RDD. In this case, the phone book is first used to select a phone number; this is followed by randomization of the last two digits by replacing them with a two-digit string of random numbers. For example, if the selected phone number is 123-4567, then the randomized number could be 123-4578, where "67" has been replaced by "78." This process increases the probability of finding a working number at the randomized location, since the number uses not only the prefix, but also the first two digits of an existing phone number, which makes it more likely that there is another working line in that bank of numbers. In other words, if 123-4567 is a working number, then 123-4578 is much more likely also to be a working number than 123-3489. Two-digit RDD thus reduces the likelihood of reaching nonworking numbers and increases the possibility of reaching numbers that are not included in the phone book.

The biggest drawback with the RDD process is the fact that it leads to the dialing of nonworking and nonresidential numbers instead of households.

Mail - Self Response: A common form of survey research. It requires a carefully developed data collection technique to have a adequate response rate. These techniques include:

use first class personalized mailing
have a well written cover letter
have a simple and concise questionnaire
include a postage-paid, self addressed return envelope.
mailed by a date to reach all recipients at least a week before the return deadline.
send a follow-up letter or postcard, two weeks after initial mailing.

Internet: is growing in popularity as a data collection tool. It raises questions about validity which can be addressed in the research design. Online techniques include:

An introductory Email
An online link for the survey instrument
Follow-up emails requesting participation

Sample online survey emails

	City utility customers (N=840) were used to develop the survey sample.
	Business customers and duplicate entries were deleted from the survey list and only residential customers (N=525) were used.
	A random sample of 230 addresses were drawn.
	A stamped, pre-addressed envelope was included within the survey to facilitate survey responses.
	Survey participants were asked to respond within five days.
	A total of 56 usable surveys were returned.
	The response rate was 24.3% (56/230).
	This return rate is comparable to other Arizona city recreation surveys.

	incomplete questionnaires
	incorrect addresses (mail surveys)
	questionnaires returned after deadline
	duplicate listings
	ineligible individuals in sample

Module 7: Data Collection - Chapter 8

On-line Lesson

	Whitewater enthusiasts (N = 724) were identified from the initial list of 788, and were mailed a Letter of Introduction, as well as a Leisure Motivation Questionnaire.
	Five days after the initial mailing a follow-up postcard was sent.
	Of the 724 participants identified,

	face-to-face interviews = less honest answers
	phone interviews = moderately honest answers
	mail surveys = most honest answers

	mailing with a phone follow-up
	mailing with a face-to-face interview
	phone with an Internet site reply