Mailed Postcards as a High-Response-Rate Data-Collection Instrument

This research note describes the use of postcards as a data collection instrument for mailed surveys. Postcard survey instruments provide surveyors the advantages of both low cost and high response rates. Past uses of postcard surveys have yielded response rates of between 77% and 100%, with only one or two waves of mailing. Suggested uses for this unique survey instrument and tips on utilizing it are offered.