Response rate and nonresponse bias in a questionnaire survey of dentists

Abstract

Objectives: (a) To report on response rate and nonresponse bias of a questionnaire survey of dentists, (b) To make recommendations for future questionnaire survey research in dentistry. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to a stratified systematic sample of 908 Australian dentists. The strategy included three mailings, a final telephonic contact, university stationery, paid reply envelopes and personalized correspondence. Nonresponse bias was assessed by comparing responses to a simple 'yes/no' question from each contact (late responders), and by comparing demographic information (nonresponders). Results: The response rate achieved was 87% and there was no evidence of nonresponse bias based..