What is mail questionnaire

A mail questionnaire is a type of survey instrument that is sent to respondents through the mail, typically in the form of a paper questionnaire or a self-administered survey. The questionnaire is designed to collect information from the respondents on a specific topic or set of topics, and is usually accompanied by a cover letter or introduction that explains the purpose of the survey and how to complete it.

Mail questionnaires are often used in research studies, market research, and social science research, where it is not feasible or practical to conduct face-to-face interviews or online surveys. They are particularly useful for collecting data from a large number of respondents, or from respondents who are geographically dispersed or hard to reach.

Here are some common characteristics of mail questionnaires:

  1. Self-administered: Respondents complete the questionnaire on their own, without the presence of an interviewer.
  2. Paper-based: The questionnaire is typically printed on paper and mailed to respondents.
  3. Pre-coded: The questionnaire is designed with pre-coded answers, which makes it easier for respondents to complete and for researchers to analyze the data.
  4. Return by mail: Respondents return the completed questionnaire by mail, usually in a pre-paid envelope.
  5. Low cost: Mail questionnaires are often less expensive than other types of surveys, such as online surveys or face-to-face interviews.

The advantages of mail questionnaires include:

  1. Cost-effective: Mail questionnaires are often less expensive than other types of surveys.
  2. Wide reach: Mail questionnaires can be sent to a large number of respondents, making it possible to collect data from a diverse population.
  3. Flexibility: Mail questionnaires can be designed to collect data on a wide range of topics and can be tailored to specific research goals.

However, mail questionnaires also have some limitations, including:

  1. Low response rates: Mail questionnaires often have lower response rates than other types of surveys, which can affect the representativeness of the sample.
  2. Data quality issues: Mail questionnaires can be prone to errors, such as incomplete or inconsistent responses, which can affect the accuracy of the data.
  3. Time-consuming: Mail questionnaires can take longer to complete than other types of surveys, which can affect the response rate and data quality.

Overall, mail questionnaires can be a useful tool for collecting data from a large number of respondents, but they require careful planning and execution to ensure high-quality data and a good response rate.