Background Population-based surveys currently face the problem of decreasing response rates. Mixed-mode designs are now being implemented more often to account for this, to improve sample composition and to reduce overall costs. This study examines whether a concurrent or sequential mixed-mode design achieves better results on a number of indicators of survey quality. Methods Data were obtain...

1. Introduction Nonresponse is a major problem in random-digit-dialing (RDD) surveys. Nonresponse can occur at various phases of data collection, especially if the eligible sample is identified through the selection of a larger screening sample. For example, if we are interested in obtaining data from households containing children in a specific age group, these households will have to be first...

BACKGROUND In recent years, reduced participation has been encountered across all epidemiological study designs, both in terms of non-response as well as refusal. A low response rate may reduce the statistical power but, more importantly, results may not be generalizable to the wider community. METHODS In a telephone survey of 1413 randomly selected members of the Australian general populatio...

BACKGROUND Many Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care (PC) patients prefer telephone-delivered care to other health care delivery modalities. OBJECTIVE To evaluate PC patients' telephone experiences and outcomes before and after a national telephone transformation quality improvement (QI) collaborative. METHODS Cross-sectional surveys were conducted pre- and post-collaborative. We used bivaria...

OBJECTIVE To analyze the consistency between height and weight values obtained by direct measurement and reporting in contemporary national surveys. METHODS A group of 20 to 39 year olds were selected in the Household Budget Survey (POF) and Surveillance System Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases Survey Telephone (VIGITEL), 2008 and 2009. The surveys were matched by sex and age. ...

Internet growth and activity has been increasing almost exponentially over the last decade. Today, millions of people all over the world use the Internet for a variety of activities, such as email and instant messaging, shopping, trading stocks, research, and many others. Of these, one of the fastest growing is online surveys. Because of its global reach, the Internet is the perfect medium for ...

BACKGROUND Baseline data is necessary for monitoring how a population perceives the threat of pandemic influenza, and perceives how it would behave in the event of pandemic influenza. Our aim was to develop a module of questions for use in telephone health surveys on perceptions of threat of pandemic influenza, and on preparedness to comply with specific public health behaviours in the event of...