Online survey response rates and patterns – The Faculty Service-Learning Online Survey

Background: Online surveys are becoming an emerging tool for assessment. Purpose: This study examined online survey response rates and patterns, and respondent characteristics from an institutional-wide online survey on faculty service-learning involvement. Methods: A representative sample of 1200 faculty members at one major university in Southeast U.S. were recruited. An administrative memo was first sent out in Spring 2008 to deans, directors, and chairs informing the upcoming survey, followed by an invitation email sent directly to faculty members. Participants had a three-and-a-half-week window to respond. The first email reminder was sent out a week after the invitation email, and the 2nd email reminder was sent out a week before the survey was due. Response rate and patterns were analyzed. Results: A total of 450 faculty members participated in the study – an overall response rate of 37.4%. Among all survey participants, 43.1% responded within two days of receiving the initial email invitation, 28% after 1st email reminder, and 11.3% responded within 2 days of receiving the 2nd reminder. Data showed that no surge of survey participation on the last day of the survey. Overall faculty of assistant rank and those in social science related areas were more likely to respond to the survey. Conclusions: Results showed that the majority of survey participants responded to email invitation and reminder notice within two days of prompts. Response rate decreased with each additional reminder or prompt. Lessons learned on conducting online survey, including pros and cons of different recruiting strategies will be shared.