Response rates in British general population surveys of alcohol consumption: a comparison.

A review of response rates obtained in 17 British general population surveys of alcohol consumption is presented. Response rates ranged between 66.8 and 90% (M = 78.5 +/- 8.0). High response rates were most likely when unlimited visits to establish contact were allowed. It is suggested that expensive efforts to enhance response rates in such studies may be unnecessary. No clear evidence of declining response rates was found.