A randomised trial and economic evaluation of the effect of response mode on response rate, response bias, and item non-response in a survey of doctors

Anthony Scott, Sung-Hee Jeon, Catherine Marie Joyce, John Stirling Humphreys, Guyonne Kalb, Julia Witt, Anne Leahy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

166 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A stratified random sample of 4.9 (2,702/54,160) of doctors undertaking clinical practice was drawn from a national directory of all doctors in AustraliaStratification was by four doctor types: general practitioners, specialists, specialists-in-training, and hospital non-specialists, and by six rural/remote categories. A three-arm parallel trial design with equal randomisation across arms was used. Doctors were randomly allocated to: online questionnaire (902); simultaneous mixed mode (a paper questionnaire and login details sent together) (900); or, sequential mixed mode (online followed by a paper questionnaire with the reminder) (900). Analysis was by intention to treat, as within each primary mode, doctors could choose either paper or online. Primary outcome measures were response rate, survey response bias, item non-response, and cost
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1 - 12
Number of pages12
JournalBMC Medical Research Methodology
Volume11
Issue numberArt. No: 126
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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