ENHANCING DILLMAN TOTAL DESIGN METHOD FOR MAILED TELEPHONE SURVEYS USING CURRENT TECHNOLOGY TO MAXIMIZE COST-BENEFIT RATIOS/

Sample survey using mailed questionnaires is an important research too l often limited by low response rates. In the late 1970s, Dillman deve loped a highly successful approach to ensuring high response rates cal led the 'total design method' (TDM). TDM was designed prior to widespr ead use of personal computers, word processing. graphic software, lase r printing and new communication methods. This experimental study aske d: What are the effects of using contemporary technology within a tota l design methodology on response rates, timeliness of responses and co st effectiveness? While this study was small, findings create strong s upport for further investigation into the use of new information techn ologies to yield high response rates in mailed surveys.