Mixed-Mode Contacts In Web Surveys: Paper is Not Necessarily Better

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of paper and email contacts on web survey response rates. We use six combinations of paper and email prenotifications and reminders to test the impact of mixed-mode contacts. In addition, we use two survey samples that differ in their relationship with the sponsoring institution to test if the impact of contact mode is conditional on relationship between respondents and the survey researchers. Contrary to previous research, we find little differences in response rates across experimental groups.