A mail survey is a self-administered questionnaire that is completed in the absence of a professional interviewer.  

The Methodology

The Benefits

Mail Survey: Methodology

When a mail survey is selected as the appropriate tool for accessing information, the following are the typical steps in implementing this method:

• Meetings between the client and RPG to determine

  • The research objectives of the study,

  • The questions to be addressed, and

  • The profile of the participants;

• Based on the above input, a survey is developed by RPG and submitted to the client for review;
• A mailing list is purchased that reflects the target market
• Mailed surveys are designed to be completed in 10 minutes or less to avoid respondent fatigue
• RPG analyzes the information and prepares a complete, written report
• A presentation of findings is scheduled if desired

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Mail Survey: The Benefits

Mail surveys, when appropriate for the specific study, can be convenient, efficient, and inexpensive

• There is no potential for interviewer bias
• There are no interviewers to recruit, train, monitor, and pay
• The study can be conducted from a single location
• Mail surveys represent a convenient way to reach respondents who are not easily available by phone

The disadvantages of the mail survey that are considered when designing the study are that, without an interviewer to clarify questions and probe answers, there are limits to the type of information that can be gained from the mail survey. The number of questions is generally more limited and there is a high non-response rate with mail surveys