Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, King's College London, London, UK.
Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2010;1. doi: 10.3402/ejpt.v1i0.5516. Epub 2010 Dec 6.
while low response rates need not introduce bias into research, having a lower percentage of responders does increase the potential for this to occur. This is of particular concern given the decline that has been occurring in response rates since the 1950s. However, there are various methods that can be incorporated into the study design, which can assist in increasing levels of participation.
To outline the methods used by the King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) when conducting a recent telephone survey of serving and ex-Service military personnel.
Using participants who had already taken part in a questionnaire-based study on the health effects of serving in the UK Armed Forces (n=10,272), a subsample was selected for an in-depth telephone interview-based follow-up study. The subsample consisted of 1,105 participants, selected on the basis of their mental health status. An adjusted response rate of 76% was achieved (n=821).
Various methods of contact were used in this study to ensure an adequate response rate was achieved.
Simple research strategies increase response rates and are likely to reduce bias. Use of multiple simultaneous tracing methods and customisation of the approach to the target population increases rapport between participants, ensuring that those who take part feel valued as members of the study. In the current climate of decreasing participation in studies, research teams need to engage with their study population and devise innovative strategies to keep participants involved in the research being undertaken.
虽然低应答率不一定会给研究带来偏差，但应答率较低确实增加了这种可能性。自 20 世纪 50 年代以来，应答率一直在下降，这尤其令人担忧。然而，研究设计中可以采用各种方法来提高参与度。
概述英国国王军事卫生研究所（KCMHR）在最近对现役和退伍军人进行电话调查时使用的方法。
利用已经参加过一项关于在英国武装部队服役对健康影响的基于问卷的研究的参与者（n=10272），选择一个子样本进行基于深入电话访谈的后续研究。子样本由 1105 名参与者组成，根据他们的心理健康状况选择。调整后的应答率为 76%（n=821）。
本研究采用了各种联系方法，以确保达到足够的应答率。
简单的研究策略可以提高应答率，并有可能减少偏差。使用多种同时追踪方法和针对目标人群的方法定制化，可以增加参与者之间的融洽度，确保参与研究的人感到自己是研究的重要成员。在参与研究的人数不断减少的情况下，研究团队需要与研究人群接触，并制定创新策略，让参与者继续参与正在进行的研究。
