Web Survey Bibliography
Title Experiments with Email Formatting
Author Lawrence, S., Phillips, B. T.
Year 2014
Access date 28.08.2014
Abstract
Email is essential to the success of many web surveys, facilitating easy completion. Despite the importance of email to web surveys, the nature of email invitations has received
surprisingly little attention. We suggest that extensive formatting lowers response rates and recommend using minimal formatting, comparable to a typical person to person email, due to display problems and resemblance to bulk email. We present the results of random assignment experiments on the impact of email formatting on survey response, conducted on elite populations. Experiment 1 tested two conditions in an email reminder: extensive and elegant HTML formatting against minimal HTML formatting (a scanned signature was included but otherwise the email appeared as text-only). The minimal formatting condition yielded more responses. Experiments 2 and 3 will be fielded in late 2013. Experiment 2 replicates Experiment 1 in an email invitation (as opposed to a reminder), comparing extensive HTML formatting against minimal HTML formatting. We repeat the treatment conditions of Experiment 1 to determine whether the results hold true for invitations. It is at least arguable that an extensively formatted invitation serves to enhance the legitimacy of the request by emphasizing the authority of the requestor and may enhance response to later reminders. Experiment 3 extends to the logic of Experiment 1 by comparing the minimal formatting used previously against Outlook-style formatting used by the sender in ordinary person to person email. Experiment 4 used a two-way crossed design. Based on marketing literature, the treatment conditions varied mentioning the subject’s name in the subject line in the email vs. not and including a photo of the sender vs. not. Consistent with our hypothesis, features inconsistent with ordinary email (photo and name mentioned in subject line) had fewer responses. Interestingly, personalization of the subject line generated higher open rates but fewer completions.
Access/Direct link
Year of publication2014
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
Web survey bibliography - 2014 (234)
- Mixed-Mode Designs bei Erhebungen mit sensitiven Fragen: Einfluss auf das Teilnahme- und Antwortverhalten...; 2014; Krug, G., Kriwy, P., Carstensen, J.
- Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials supports the use of incentives for inducing response to...; 2014; David, M. C., Ware, R. S.
- Quality of physical therapy from a patient's perspective; factor analysis on web-based survey data...; 2014; Scholte, M., Calsbeek, H., Nijhuis-van der Sanden, M. W. G., Braspenning, J.
- Evaluating a Web-based health risk assessment with tailored feedback: What does an expert focus group...; 2014; Vosbergen, S., Mahieu, G. R. Laan, E. K., Kraaijenhagen, R. A., Jaspers, M. W. M., Peek, N.
- Drivers' road accident risk perception. A comparison between face-to-face interview and web-based...; 2014; Cardamone, A. S., Eboli, L., Mazzulla, G.
- Measuring Political Participation—Testing Social Desirability Bias in a Web-Survey Experiment; 2014; Persson, M., Solevid, M.
- Prioritisation of alternatives with analytical hierarchy process plus response latency and web survey...; 2014; Barone, S. Errore, A., Lombardo, A.
- Accuracy of Within-household Selection in Web and Mail Surveys of the General Population.; 2014; Olson, K., Smyth, J. D.
- Discriminating the Effects of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica: A Web Survey of Medical Cannabis...; 2014; Pearce, D. D., Mitsouras, K., Irizarry, K. J.
- Measurement effects between CAPI and Web questionnaires in the UK Household Longitudinal Study; 2014; Lynn, P., Vannieuwenhuyze, J. T. A.
- Role of mode in respondents’ decisions to participate in IP5: findings from a qualitative follow...; 2014; Collins, D., Mitchell, Ma.
- Understanding Society Innovation Panel Wave 6: results from methodological experiments; 2014; Allum, N., Auspurg, K., Blake, M., Booker, C. L., Crossley, T. F., D'ardenne, J., Fairbrother, M., Iacovou...
- Considerations for Conducting Web-Based Survey Research With People Living With Human Immunodeficiency...; 2014; O'Brien, K. K., Solomon, P., Worthington, C., Ibánieez-Carrasco, F., Baxter, L., Nixon, S. A., Baltzer...
- Use of a Google Map Tool Embedded in an Internet Survey Instrument: Is it a Valid and Reliable Alternative...; 2014; Dasgupta, S., Vaughan, A. S., Kramer, M. R., Sanchez, T. H., Sullivan, P. S.
- WEBDATANET: Innovation and Quality in Web-Based Data Collection ; 2014; Steinmetz, S., Slavec, A., Tijdens, K. G., Reips, U.-D., de Pedraza, P., Popescu, A., Belchior, A., ...,...
- Mining “Big Data” using Big Data Services ; 2014; Reips, U.-D., Matzat, U.
- Instant Interactive Feedback in Grid Questions: Reminding Web Survey; 2014; Kunz, T., Fuchs, M.
- What Does the Satisfaction with Democracy Measure Mean to Respondents in Different Countries? How Cross...; 2014; Behr, D., Braun, M.
- WebSM Study: Overview of Features and Pricing of Software Packages in 2014; 2014; Vehovar, V., Cehovin, G.
- Using Eye Tracking to Evaluate Email Notifications of Surveys and Online Surveys Collecting Address...; 2014; Olmsted, E. L., Nichols, E. M.
- Respondent Processing of Multiple Images throughout a Web Survey; 2014; Charoenruk, N., Stange, M.
- Using Eye Tracking to Examine the Visual Design of Web Surveys; 2014; Zhou, Q., Ricci, K., Olson, K., Smyth, J. D.
- Achieving Balance: Understanding the Relationship between Complexity and Response Quality; 2014; Kirchner, A., Powell, R.
- Question Grouping and Matrices in Web Surveys: Using Response and Auxiliary Data to Examine Question...; 2014; Bilgen, I., Stern, M. J.
- The Grouping of Items in Mobile Web Surveys; 2014; Mavletova, A. M., Couper, M. P.
- Evaluating the Efficacy of Mixed-Mode Intercept Surveys for Complex Questionnaires; 2014; Puniello, O. T.
- Experiments with Email Formatting; 2014; Lawrence, S., Phillips, B. T.
- Sequential or Simultaneous Multi-Mode? Results from Two Large Surveys of Electric Utility Consumers; 2014; Jackson, C., Ledoux, C.
- Correlates of Attrition in the German Internet Panel: Drop-Outs and Sleepers; 2014; Blom, A. G., Beissel-Durrant, G.
- Survey Breakoff in Online Panels; 2014; McCutcheon, A. L.
- Measuring Nonresponse Bias in Web Surveys: The Role of Health Status; 2014; Zhang, M.
- Providing a Deadline for Response: Results from Two Recent Experiments; 2014; Kaiser, A., Walston, J. T., Medway, R., Ye, C., Tourangeau, R.
- Respondents Playing Fast and Loose?: Antecedents and Consequences of Respondent Speed of Completion; 2014; Thomas, R. K., Barlas, F. M.
- Does Self-Selection Affect Samples' Representativeness in Online Surveys? An Investigation in Online...; 2014; Khazaal, Y., van Singer, M., Chatton, A., Achab, S., Zullino, D., Rothen, S., Khan, R., Billieux, J.,...
- Awareness and Treatment of Alcohol Dependence in Japan: Results from Internet-Based Surveys in Persons...; 2014; Taguchi, Y., Takei, Y., Sasai, R., Murteira, S.
- Internet-based survey on current practice for evaluation, prevention, and treatment of scars, hypertrophic...; 2014; Lumenta, D. B., Siepmann, E., Kamolz, L. P.
- Awareness and correlates of the role of physical activity in breast cancer prevention among Japanese...; 2014; Miyawaki, R., Shibata, A., Ishii, K., Oka, K.
- Barriers and facilitators for participation in a preventive pelvic floor muscle training program from...; 2014; Albers-Heitner, P., Moossdorff-Steinhauser, H., Weemhoff, M., Nieman, F., Berghmans, B.
- Leading Edge Insights: Foundations of Quality 2.0; 2014; Fuguitt, G.
- Current Practices in Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in India: Results of an Online Survey; 2014; Kumar, A.
- Inside the Turk Understanding Mechanical Turk as a Participant Pool; 2014; Paolacci, G., Chandler, J.
- Differences in intrapersonal and interactional empowerment between lurkers and posters in health-related...; 2014; Petrovcic, A., Petric, G.
- Test-retest reliability of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire...; 2014; Yoshida, K., Adachi, Y., Sasaki, M., et al.
- Web-based Emergency Department Patient Satisfaction Surveys May Introduce Potential for Bias; 2014; Broadwater-Hollifield, C., Fair, J., Podolsky, S., et al.
- Process Planning for CNC Machining of Swedish Subcontractors – A Web Survey; 2014; Anderberg, S., Beno, T., Pejryd, L.
- Perceptions on developing clinical practice guidelines for traditional medicine in Korea: Results of...; 2014; Choi, J., Choi, T.-Y., A.; A., Yun, K.-J., A., Lim, H.-J., Lee, J. A., Lee, M. S.
- Recognition of and interventions for Mibyeong (subhealth) in South Korea: a national web-based survey...; 2014; Lee, J., Lee, Y., Dong, S. O., Kim, S.-H., Lee, S.
- Recruiting an Internet Panel Using Respondent-Driven Sampling; 2014; Schonlau, M., Weidmer, B., Kapteyn, A.
- Systematic Review of the Use of Online Questionnaires of Older Adults; 2014; Remillard, M. L., Mazor, K. M., Cutrona, S. L., Gurwitz, J. H., Tjia, J.
- Validating respondents' identity in online samples; 2014; Baker, R., Miller, C., Kachhi-Jiwani, D., Lange, K., Wilding-Brown, L., Tucker, J.