A checklist of characteristics of effective mail questionnaires was developed that reflects some degree of consensus among experts in survey research and that can serve as a guide to novices designing a questionnaire. Journal and book sources of information about mail questionnaires were reviewed to yield 83 items in 7 categories that comprised the study survey. The survey was mailed to six authors of books on survey research and six experienced practitioners of survey research. Only one author failed to reply; the response rate was 92%. Detailed background information was provided by 10 of the 11 individuals who participated in this phase of the study. Eight of the 83 items were judged desirable for all mail questionnaires, possibly because of a lack of clarity in the instrument. A revised instrument was submitted to a validation panel of 10 individuals experienced in survey research as well as to 8 of the original 11 participants. Of the 64 items that a majority of the participants in the first phase of the study would usually recommend, 38 were supported by the validation panel, with 80% or higher indicating that they also would usually make the recommendation. The attached "Check List of Desirable Characteristics of Mail Surveys" is a compilation of the items usually recommended by at least 87.5% of the first group of experts and 80% of the validation panel. These results indicate that questionnaire design may be a science up to a certain point, but beyond that point it is an art. A bibliography of the 21 journal and book sources that were reviewed is provided. The survey instrument used in this study is included. (SLD)