Seeking ideas on incentive prize/ gift to maximise response rate

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by George Brown, Jan 22, 2005.

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  1. George Brown

    George Brown Active Member

    Dear all,

    I am soon to deliver a web based survey to the following two populations in Australia:

    * Registrars of all higher education providers (public and private) - approximately 100+
    * Members of a key peak body consisting of recruitment agencies - approximately 2,500 members.

    In order to maximise the response rate, I have added a page at the end of the survey which permits the respondent to put their name and email address in to receive some sort of incentive. My question is, what do you think it should be?

    * a box of good wine - Wirra Wirra Church Block (approx $130+ in value) -- too cheap?
    * a mystery flight to a location in Australia --too expensive?

    Any thoughts on what would be a nice prize/ incentive would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers,

    George
     
  2. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    I guess it depends on how much you have to spend...

    I would think though you don't have to go so expensive. When the authors of "The Millionaire Mind" were doing research, they offered respondents $1 for completing the survey.
     
  3. galanga

    galanga New Member

    amazon.com?

    Hi George,

    The incentive's value should depend on how long it takes to fill out the survey, of course. A gift certificate from amazon.com would be a convenient way to get around the logistics of acquiring and shipping stuff. Perhaps Amazon has a deal they offer, since people who use a gift certificate are likely to spend more than just the face value of the certificate, and then become potential repeat customers?

    G
     
  4. Han

    Han New Member

    I am assuming by the $$$ of the prize that it is a raffle and one person would get that? I don't like that idea personally if this is the case.

    I would opt for everybody to get a much smaller $$ prize. Like the ones named above. You may even want to enclose the smaller prize with the survey and give it to everybody.
     
  5. Han

    Han New Member

    I am assuming by the $$$ of the prize that it is a raffle and one person would get that? I don't like that idea personally if this is the case.

    I would opt for everybody to get a much smaller $$ prize. Like the ones named above. You may even want to enclose the smaller prize with the survey and give it to everybody.
     
  6. tesch

    tesch New Member

    To increase response rates, you may want to inform potential respondents that for each completed survey received, $1 (or some increment) will be donated to a specified (widely recognized) charitable organization fund. Charitable contribution incentives have been supported by Bauman, Jobity, Airey, and Atak (2000), who suggested that per respondent incentives enhance participation and survey completion rates—charitable contributions are included.

    I have used this method with very good results. It is not always the size of the award, but the perception of the benefit generated from each respondent’s participation. Therefore, be sure to emphasize the importance of each response, its benefit, and all other good deeds and outcomes that flow from each respondent’s participation. Again, a donation to a charitable organization can be a very compelling motivator; perhaps even better than much more costly monetary compensation, gifts or awards.
     
  7. George Brown

    George Brown Active Member

    Thanks for all the responses. I am considering making the full study results available to the participants as opposed to a gift now. Any thoughts?

    Cheers,

    George
     

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