What are the measures that can be used to improve both the quantity and quality of responses?

What will be an ideal response?

The quantity and quality of responses can be improved by implementing intensive follow-up efforts; including an appeal from the sponsor; keeping the length of the questionnaire appropriate for the format used (shorter questionnaires are important for mail surveys and other methods where researchers have no, or limited, personal contact with respondents); including an introductory or cover letter to explain the nature, purpose, and importance of the research; asking questions that are interesting, relevant, or judged as salient to respondents and avoiding questions likely to be regarded as private, sensitive, and/or a threat to them or their immediate groups; and offering financial or nonfinancial inducements. The type of population should also be considered, as response rates from better-educated people, professionals, and wealthier people are likely to be higher, while response rates from minority populations and non-English-speaking populations tend to be lower.

Other strategies for improving response rates include promising confidentiality, contacting respondents at the most appropriate time, and, when using mail questionnaires, providing a stamped, self-addressed envelope rather than a business-reply or metered envelope for respondents to use to return the completed questionnaire. Offering a small incentive, either financial or non-financial, could also enhance the response rate of the questionnaire.