Meta-analysis, a way of cumulating the results of research studies, focuses on the magnitudes of effect sizes and seeks to explain effects through study characteristics. This meta-analysis used the methods developed by G. V. Glass to summarize the research on mail survey response rate manipulations. A narrative review using the same studies set…

A study aimed to examine how reading assessment information is understood and used by two powerful groups: federal legislators and members of the news media. Attempts were made to contact federal legislators on educational subcommittees to discuss how they used reading assessment information to make legislative policy decisions and to vote on…

One of the indicators of the health of an organization is the number of individuals participating in its annual meeting. Factors influencing meeting attendance and the relationships between positive attendance indicators and registration were studied for the Mid-South Educational Research Association, using participant data for 1984 through 1992.…

This study addresses the issues of response rates, nonresponse bias, and response bias in the context of comparing online surveys and traditional paper instruments. Key questions include: (1) Do online surveys yield higher rates of response than do paper surveys? (2) Is the nonresponse bias characteristic of online surveys similar to or different…

Methods used in an educational indicators pilot project studying the conditions in primary schools in the least developed countries are described. Sample surveys with 88.88% to 100% response rates were conducted in 14 countries. Recommendations are made for improving sampling techniques in underdeveloped countries. (SLD)

FAX technology was used to send surveys to professionals at 25 higher education institutions whereas professionals at 25 more institutions received mail surveys. Follow-up responses were sent by FAX and mail. Response rates (overall rate of 40%) were best for those receiving surveys and reminders by FAX. Cost effectiveness is discussed. (SLD)

An original study with a 96 percent questionnaire return rate and four replications with high return rates were compared in terms of populations sampled, implementation, and results. Future use of this procedure, which includes advance mailing, telephone contact, telephone explanations, and followups, is discussed. (SLD)

The possibility that the decision to use a prepaid monetary incentive to increase physician responses to a survey was studied with an initial sample of 328 physicians. Results suggest that the incentive was not nearly as effective in a follow-up, and delaying its use diminishes beneficial results. (SLD)

Curriculum evaluations were sent to fourth-year medical students randomly assigned to receive the survey either by mail or e-mail. Mailed evaluations yielded a higher return rate, fewer students omitting items, and shorter responses to an open-ended question than evaluations completed via e-mail. (EV)

Analyzes characteristics of three survey response modes: post, e-mail, and Web site, based on data from science writers' professional use of e-mail and the Web. Finds: several important differences in response characteristics of these three groups; and no significant influences of survey mode. Suggests that using multi-mode survey techniques…

A national study was conducted to examine the quality of mid-level leaders' worklife, satisfaction, morale and their intentions to leave. The study included 4,000 mid-level leaders who were randomly selected from a total national population of 11,300 from both public and private institutions within five Carnegie classifications (e.g.,…

Large scale surveys in education have to face non-response issues that might bias the results. Non-response can occur at three levels: (i) a school refuses to participate, (ii) a sample student fails to participate and (iii) a participating student refuses to answer a particular question. Until now schools and student non-response have been…

Rural communities rely increasingly on local development organizations (LDOs) to promote economic development. The rise of LDOs has been the source of much debate. Using a national data set that links local governments with development organizations, we contrast the economic development activities, and their outcomes, of local governments and…

The National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES) includes a series of random digit dial (RDD) surveys developed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to collect information on important educational issues through telephone surveys of…

Comorbidity between antisocial behavior and depression in adolescence is widely recognized. This paper examines whether links with depressed mood differ among three subtypes of antisocial behavior: oppositionality, physical aggression and delinquency. In addition we examine two possible contributors to these links: negative life events that are…