Fax Surveys: Return Patterns and Comparison with Mail Surveys

Abstract

The authors investigate response patterns to fax surveys in comparison with mail surveys and explore the relative advantages and disadvantages of the two methods. The results of two studies show that the answers to questions sent by fax were comparable to those received by mail, but they were received more quickly and in greater numbers. For many types of surveys that otherwise would have used mail, using fax machines can yield higher returns at lower cost per returned questionnaire.