Survey implementation schedule
1. Notification letter -- This personalized letter should let them know that "You are about to receive a survey and here's why it's important." It is sent a few days prior to the survey.
2. Questionnaire/survey instrument and cover letter -- Cover reiterates why their response is important
3. Thank you postcard -- sent a few days to a week after the questionnaire and thanking them for responding if they have already done so, or saying that "we hope that you will be able to return the survey soon."
4. Replacement questionnaire -- Sent to nonrespondents 2-4 weeks after first questionnaire, including cover letter stating that previous survey hasn't been received
5. Final contacts -- by phone, ideally, 2-4 weeks after previous mailing
- Adapted from Don Dillman, Mail and Internet Surveys: The Tailored Design Method (p.151).