88-4 Evaluation of Methods of Increasing Response for an Angler Survey in Two States

J. Michael Brick , Survey Methods Unit, Westat, Inc., Rockville, MD
William R. Andrews , Office of Science and Technology, Fisheries Statistics Division, F/ST1, NOAA Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, MD
Pat Dean Brick , Survey Methods Unit, Westat, Inc., Rockville, MD
Sherm Edwards , Survey Methods Unit, Westat, Inc., Rockville, MD
Howard King , Survey Methods Unit, Westat, Inc., Rockville, MD
Nancy Mathiowetz , University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Lynne Stokes , Department of Statistical Science, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Due to declining response rates and coverage loss in random digit dial surveys, the NOAA Fisheries is exploring using mail surveys to estimate saltwater fishing activity in the U.S. The results of an initial pilot mail survey were promising in terms of response rates and coverage, but there was evidence of avidity bias. This paper describes a revision of pilot study in which the mail survey was re-designed to reduce avidity bias, and experiments were implemented to explore methods of improving the response rates. Some of the findings with respect to avidity bias and mailing methods to increase response rates are described.