The document outlines six strategies to improve response rates for non-institutional surveys: 1) Personalize the survey invitation, 2) Refine the survey format and design, 3) Advocate for survey participation beforehand, 4) Reflect on the value of participation, 5) Regulate the survey administration process, and 6) Assure participants' privacy and trust in the system. It also discusses issues like language proficiency, cultural traditions, and population diversity that can hinder response rates. The conclusion emphasizes giving participants discretion over responding and maintaining privacy as essential aspects of effective surveys.

1. to
Improve Response Rate
of
Non-Institutional Surveys
© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies

2. Response Rate
 Non-Response Bias: When majority of survey audience avoid
participating, it produces fake results. Minority opinion overrides
majority
 Response Bias: If people are forced to participate, they will provide
inaccurate and/or untruthful responses
1© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys
How it would affect a survey credibility

3. The Strategies
2© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
1. Personalize
2. Refine
3. Advocate
4. Reflect
5. Regulate
6. Assure
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys

4. Strategy 1: Personalize
3© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
Turn general announcement into personal message
1. Direct Salutations (Dear John not Dear Employee)
2. Explain need (why do we need your participation)
3. Plan Timing (the best time to publish)
4. Use related email (show who is the owner)
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys

5. Strategy 2: Refine
4© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
Turn dullness into interactive form
1. Welcome Note (friendly, informative and appreciative)
2. Preset (less input, more selection)
3. Change style (different question types)
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys

6. Strategy 2: Refine cont.….
5© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
4. Break to pages (split to pages reasonable in length
and subject oriented)
5. Images, colors, etc. (add life to survey)
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys
Turn dullness into interactive form

7. Strategy 3: Advocate
6© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
Speak to people about your case
1. Introduce beforehand (talk to people about it)
2. Relate to participants (link to recent or future events)
3. Encourage participation (promote participants)
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys

8. Strategy 4: Reflect
7© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
Show people the effect of participation
1. Publish results (show the product of the survey)
2. Correlate actions (show the result of participation)
3. Credit Participants (show participation value)
4. Offer Incentives (show participation benefit)
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys

9. Strategy 5: Regulate
8© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
Keep things in order beforehand
1. Schedule Calendar ( list all surveys & dates)
2. Survey Procedure ( survey operation manual)
3. Code of Ethics ( Dos and Donts)
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys

10. Strategy 6: Assure
9© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
Improve trust in system
1. Ensure Privacy (reduce risks)
2. Review Questions (avoid suggestive questions)
3. Rephrase input (remove accusing comments)
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys

11. Issues
10© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
What hinders a good response
1. Language proficiency (difficult to understand)
2. Local customs & traditions (taboos)
3. Diversity of population (unrelated)
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys

12. Conclusion
11© 2015 The Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, Office of Institutional Research & Studies
Essence of Survey
1. Discretion (the user has the choice!)
2. Privacy ( above all other aspects )
Six Strategies to Improve Response Rate of Non-Institutional Surveys