Non-response is a major concern for users of surveys as it threatens the validity of the findings and consequently any conclusions drawn, and trend studies indicate that participation in surveys is declining. This paper by Elizabeth Curtis and Richard Redmond aims to raise awareness about non-response in survey research and to suggest strategies researchers can use for increasing response rates.

In any survey, despite researchers’ best efforts in the use of scientific techniques, results can only be drawn and generalised based on the amount of information that is returned: that is, on the response rate or returns they obtain from the groups they sought information from. Although most research texts suggest ways in which researchers can increase response rates from surveys, there is a dearth of information in the methodology and academic press about how the researcher should deal with non-responses to mailed questionnaires. The aim of this paper is to identify likely reasons for non-responses to questionnaires and to discuss strategies researchers can employ to optimise responses.