Response patterns to a mail survey of New Zealand farmers

Abstract

This report reviews the literature on mail surveys. It summarises recent experience by the Agricultural Economics Research Unit of Lincoln College in using mail surveys. In particular, it reports the findings of experiments in mail survey technique conducted in the context of surveys of New Zealand farmers. The primary source of the experimental findings reported was a mail survey of over 3,000 South Island sheep farmers initiated in November 1975. This survey, in a lengthy questionnaire, sought a variety of factual and attitude data relating to farm transport. The sample was split into ten experimental groups so that the effects of selected mail survey application techniques could be tested. It is hoped that future users of this survey method will undertake experiments that will contribute towards further knowledge that will improve the effectiveness and public acceptability of subsequent mail surveys.