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. 2012 Aug;47(4):1739-54.
doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2011.01369.x. Epub 2012 Jan 17.

Deployment of a mixed-mode data collection strategy does not reduce nonresponse bias in a general population health survey

Timothy J Beebe  1 , Donna D McAlpine, Jeanette Y Ziegenfuss, Sarah Jenkins, Lindsey Haas, Michael E Davern
Affiliations

Deployment of a mixed-mode data collection strategy does not reduce nonresponse bias in a general population health survey

Timothy J Beebe et al. Health Serv Res. 2012 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To assess nonresponse bias in a mixed-mode general population health survey.

Data sources: Secondary analysis of linked survey sample frame and administrative data, including demographic and health-related information.

Study design: The survey was administered by mail with telephone follow-up to nonrespondents after two mailings. To determine whether an additional mail contact or mode switch reduced nonresponse bias, we compared all respondents (N = 3,437) to respondents from each mailing and telephone respondents to the sample frame (N = 6,716).

Principal findings: Switching modes did not minimize the under-representation of younger people, nonwhites, those with congestive heart failure, high users of office-based services, and low-utilizers of the emergency room but did reduce the over-representation of older adults.

Conclusions: Multiple contact and mixed-mode surveys may increase response rates, but they do not necessarily reduce nonresponse bias.

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