Recommendations for minimizing non-response
Reducing the level of non-response can be achieved in ten simple steps:
1. Recruitment from different sources. Do not send invitations only via e-mail – post the survey in various online communities (forums, social networks, etc.).
2. Personalize e-invitations. Messages with a personal address increase the response rate by at least 5%, and sometimes even more. Thus send invitations such as "Dear Mr. Smith” instead of “Dear Sir or Madam”.
3. Email invitations should be short and simple. Along with the survey URL, do not forget to emphasize:
- who you are;
- what the survey means for each individual;
- the length of the survey (especially if the survey is short, but do not mislead the respondents if it is longer, as respondents prefer to fill out longer surveys if they know what to expect);
- anonymity of the survey.
4. The first page of the survey should be simple and attractive and should motivate the respondents. Do not place instructions onto the first page, as studies have shown that respondents do not look favorably upon long instructions on the first page.
5. However – highlight how you will use the survey answers. This should be written on the first page. People are more likely to provide information on the Internet if they are familiar with their use. Additionally, emphasize the anonymity and confidentiality of information.
6. Do not forget to send email reminders. Send a new invitation to those who have not responded after a certain period of time. You can do this by sending a thank you note to those who have already responded and encourage those who have not to do so. However, it is better not to send more than two reminders and to remove e-mail addresses of those who do not wish to be contacted.
7. Consider offering incentives – gifts, awards, etc. Studies show that large incentives are not necessary to increase the response rate. Even small tokens or gifts can help increase the level of response.
8. Some simply want to share their opinion. Many people will only respond to the survey because they want to share their opinion, not because of the incentives. Therefore consider optional prizes – e.g. perform a draw.
9. Use graphics and other Internet options strategically. Generally the survey does not need graphics; this can sometimes be distracting or even affect the responses. However, in some cases graphics may increase the response rate (e.g. link or photo of the prize).
10. Publicly announce the results of the survey. The respondents are interested in the results of the survey and its publication will contribute to their willingness to fill out the survey.
- Can I display answers in form of a selection list?
- Which design is the most suitable for mobile devices and tablets?
- Why are the repondent's answers lost in case of 'step by step mode' with question type 'table' if respondent moves to the previous page?
- How do I create a one-click log-in confirmation in 1KA?
- Can I set a quota for a particular question or questionnaire (restrictions on the number of respondents)?
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- When is it advisable to use the question comments function?
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- What about underage respondents?
- How can I set the cell alignment in the table?
- How do I change the question type?
- How to properly methodologically set the answers 'Don’t know', 'Invalid', 'None of the above' and 'Refused'?
- Can I set the respondent to edit his answers?
- How can I personalize my survey with a custom logo?
- How can I use missing values in conditions?
- How do I change or update my browser?
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- When exporting the questionnaire in MS Word the structure of the questionnaire changes
- What kind of customer support does 1KA offer?
- How long should my survey be?
- Where does free help end?
- How to set default values for respondents?
- For how long is the survey saved and for how long is it active?
- My survey disappeared
- Can I make changes to a survey after it has been activated and published?
- Why is a new question always placed at the bottom of the questionnaire and why do I have to move it up manually?
- Can I add a new question after the survey is already active?
- What is the limitation on the number of questions and respondents?
- Can I change the name of the variable with predefined demographic variables?
- Can respondents save or print their answers?
- How do I enable spell checking?
- Is it possible to create several different versions of a questionnaire, with each version randomly assigned to a respondent?
- How do I detect logical and technical errors in the questionnaire?
- How do I prevent the same respondent from participating in the survey multiple times?
- Why is it not advisable to copy text?
- Can standard words be altered?
- How is the tool tested?
- Can I create a table in which a respondent can choose the most and the least important answer (Max-Diff table)?
- How to set that a chosen website is opened to a respondent after completing survey?
- How do I customize the format of the survey to be in line with our organization?
- Why is the CAPTCHA image not displayed?
- Why is the question numbering not in consecutive order?
- Why is it necessary to enable Javascript?
- Where can I change the language of the survey and 1KA application?
- Can I change my existing email address to login to 1KA?
- How can I add another survey administrator?
- Who can respond to my survey?
- How do I set that respondents skip certain questions that are inappropriate for them (conditions)?
- The questionnaire does not close (when clicking the END button) after survey completion
- How do I quote / cite the use of 1KA in my work?
- How do I separate different sections of the questionnaire with a title or introductory question
- Are mobile surveys supported by 1KA?
- Can I alter the design of an individual survey?
- Is it possible to make a copy of an old survey so that new respondents can answer it?
- Inserting images into your questionnaire
- Edit response's values
- Default answer labels
- Settings for exporting PDF/RTF files with responses
- Classifying or ranking
- Tabs in the questionnaire
- Hiding answers in already active survey
- Changing the size of radio and checkbox buttons
- 1KA settings for email notifications for completed surveys and insight into the respondent's answers
- Voting
- Satisficing in the survey
- GDPR survey settings
- Recommendations for minimizing non-response
- Usage of 'location' question type
- Disabling the question for respondents
- Accessibility of surveys for people with special needs
- Editing options in the question taskbar
- Labelling a question as mandatory
- Recommendations for questionnaire creation
- Settings for respondent access: cookies and passwords
- Survey preview
- Key features that an advanced user should know
- Granting access to helpdesk
- Option to hide radio and checkbox buttons next to categories
- Advanced adding of images as an answer
- Different ways to display a question for the date
- Use of editor when editing questions
- Insert numerical answers with slider
- Transfering values from the answer of one question into the text of another question ( data piping)
- Display the list of open answers in the survey
- Adding a new language for the standard words
- Semantic differential
- Organizing surveys in folders
- Import text - copying text to 1KA
- Adding editorial access on 1ka.arnes.si
- Image Hotspot question type
- E-mail (type of question)
- 1KA registration and login
- Advanced questionnaire editing settings
- Including a video or flash player in your survey
- Uploading a file
- Using the IP address and cookies to control duplicate entries
- How to repeat the tittle bar in a table
- Design
- Step by step mode with table question type
- Visual Analogue Scale
- Export (Survey archive)
- Setting up a static first page (introduction)
- Survey duration based on date or the number of responses
- Image type of question layout
- 'Take a picture' question type
- Additional settings for the introduction and conclusion
- Drill-down: sequential filtering of questions
- Notifications
- 'Heatmap' Question
- Verification of user’s attention with the use of a “trap” question
- The use of conditions
- Electronic signature
- Comments
- Mobile survey adjustments
- Survey settings
- System variables in conditions
- Text (type of question)
- Set up of drag and drop question type
- Your first survey
- Placing answers on stripe
- Data display (settings)
- Registration form
- Structuring questions into blocks
- Standard demographics
- Combined table
- Creating sub-samples: half of the respondents gets one question, while the other half a different question
- Glossary
- Measurement and time limitations for responses
- Creating respondent groups
- The double grid table
- Loop
- Recommendations for online surveys on a mobile phone