School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Victoria.
Aust N Z J Public Health. 2011 Apr;35(2):187-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2011.00687.x. Epub 2011 Mar 7.
To compare the response rates achieved for an online survey with a postal survey of general practitioners (GPs) as a method to evaluate the National STI Prevention Program.
All GPs in Australia were asked to complete an online survey. A further sample of 509 GPs were asked to complete a postal survey. Response rates to both recruitment methods were compared. The demographic characteristics of responders were compared to the entire GP population of Australia.
Twenty GPs completed the online survey (response rate <0.1%). Sixty-three GPs completed the postal survey (response rate 12.4%). The demographic characteristics of those responding to the postal survey showed no statistically significant difference compared to the general GP population.
Our postal survey had a higher response rate than the online survey. Our response to the postal survey was lower than other similar studies and is likely to be due to a lack of incentives and follow-up. Even with the low response rate it appears that postal surveys can provide a good representation of the overall population.
Despite growing use of online surveys, postal surveys should still be the method of choice whenever possible. Postal surveys should include incentives and further follow-up of the initial recruitment should be conducted.
比较在线调查和邮寄调查这两种方法在评估国家性传播感染预防计划中的反应率，以评估国家性传播感染预防计划。
要求澳大利亚所有的全科医生完成在线调查。另外 509 名全科医生被要求完成邮寄调查。比较了这两种招募方法的反应率。将应答者的人口统计学特征与澳大利亚所有全科医生进行了比较。
20 名全科医生完成了在线调查（反应率<0.1%）。63 名全科医生完成了邮寄调查（反应率为 12.4%）。与一般全科医生人群相比，邮寄调查的应答者的人口统计学特征没有统计学上的显著差异。
我们的邮寄调查的反应率高于在线调查。我们对邮寄调查的反应率低于其他类似的研究，这可能是由于缺乏激励和后续行动。即使反应率很低，邮寄调查似乎也可以很好地代表总体人群。
尽管在线调查的使用越来越多，但只要有可能，邮寄调查仍应是首选方法。邮寄调查应包括激励措施，并应进一步跟进初始招募。
