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The Implications of Bank-Issued Check Surveys for Evaluators

A Case Study

Oregon Research Institute, jasonb{at}ori.org

Ted K. Taylor

Oregon Research Institute

Deborah Johnson-Shelton

Oregon Research Institute

This article describes an innovative data collection procedure. A subsample (n = 164) of a longitudinal research project was assessed using a bank-issued check survey procedure (a removable bank check on which response fields were printed). Using the new procedure, parents returned their surveys simply by depositing or cashing their incentive checks at the bank. Evaluators found that using this format and minimal follow-up achieved a response rate similar to sending a longer questionnaire requiring intensive follow-up. A 75% return rate was achieved after 8 weeks without the need of follow-up calls. A final return rate of 89% was achieved after a second mailing and a single round of phone calls. The procedure decreased labor costs by approximately two thirds by reducing the need for a large volume of reminder calls to parents. Implications for this unique survey method are discussed, as well as the limitations of the procedure.

Key Words: survey methods • response rates • mail surveys

American Journal of Evaluation, Vol. 28, No. 3, 348-355 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1098214007301833


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