Assessing Hunters' Opinions Based on a Mail and a Mixed-Mode Survey

Mode Effect and Response Rate Issues in Mixed‐Mode Survey Research: Implications for Recreational Fisheries Management

“…Additionally, the response rate of participants in our Web-push sample who chose to complete the questionnaire online reflected a higher online response rate than other studies using similar Web-push designs (e.g., 64.8% versus 35.2%: Schonlau et al 2003;80% versus 20%: Diment and Garrett-Jones 2007). In terms of sociodemographic differences, the results of our within-group analyses were consistent with past research (Kaplowitz et al 2004;Börkan 2010;Graefe et al 2011;Lesser et al 2011;Sexton et al 2011;Gigliotti and Dietsch 2014). We observed that Web-based participants were significantly younger and wealthier than those who responded via mail-back.…”

“…Similarly, a survey of Pennsylvania recreationists conducted by Graefe et al (2011) found significant differences in age, income, and education among study participants based on their mode of response, with online participants tending to be younger, wealthier, and possess more years of formal education. Among licensed Oregon hunters, Lesser et al (2011) also observed differences in participant characteristics based on mode of response. Their results illustrated that, while controlling for age and gender, an individual's decision to respond depended on the mode of solicitation, i.e., by mail invite only or through an Internet and mail invite, with older participants less likely to complete an online questionnaire.…”

“…These methods are potentially more cost effective, limit sampling biases, and increase response rates (Connelly et al 2003;Stoop et al 2010;Kreuter 2013;Gigliotti and Dietsch 2014). However, participants of mixed-mode surveys can vary significantly in terms of their sociodemographic characteristics depending on the method by which they were initially solicited and ultimately chose to respond (e.g., e-mail compared with mail-back questionnaires; Graefe et al 2011;Lesser et al 2011;Sexton et al 2011). Although mode effects concerning sociodemographic characteristics are fairly well documented (Vaske 2011), the extent to which different modes of survey solicitation and response influence variables of interest to recreational fisheries management, including angler behaviors, motivations, preferences, and expenditures, is relatively unknown but of practical importance.…”

Planning and Evaluating Science Video Programs Using Communication Science

“…For example, motivating participants through email to respond to an online survey is somewhat difficult. Despite convenience samples composed of individuals with some degree of likely interest in the materials and topics under discussion, a 25% combined response rate for our two Oregon surveys (the general population and the educators) is disappointing, even though such a rate is consistent with the widespread experience that Internet surveys often have lower response rates than traditional methods such as postal mail (Lesser, Yang, & Newton, 2011). In that context, a 25% response is not unusual.…”

Innovations in On-Site Survey Administration: Using an iPad Interface at National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks

“…Recent studies, however, have shown that online surveys, when utilizing a mixed-mode design, can be a good option for obtaining respectable response rates while keeping costs relatively low (Greenlaw & Brown-Welty, 2009). Also, online surveys have proven to be a successful tool for human dimensions of wildlife research (i.e., Cornicelli & Grund, 2011;Graefe et al, 2011;Lesser, Yang, & Newton, 2011;Sexton et al, 2011).…”