A Case Study of Culturally Sensitive Mail Survey Methods for Understanding Walking Within an Orthodox Jewish Community

Abstract

Adequate response to mail health surveys by minority populations has proved problematic. The impact of mail survey design features utilized to promote Orthodox Jews' responses (N = 138; 82 eligible synagogue member households) to a mailed questionnaire used to measure walking behavior are described and assessed. An examination of response characteristics by wave as an estimate of nonresponse bias and calculations of response speed and cost-effectiveness were conducted. Response rates of 54.8% and 52.9% for eligible households and individuals, respectively, were accumulated by using 9 of 14 recommended mail survey techniques for this particular population (e.g., culturally appropriate salutation and closing, religious iconography, Talmudic aphorisms, and incentives linked to Hebraic numerology and the synagogue's building fund). Nonrespondents most frequently cited business, forgetfulness, or lack of topic salience as reasons for not responding. No differences on sociodemographic items and 9 of 11 continuous variables were observed by response wave; response speed was slowest in response to later mailing waves; and cost-effectiveness was maximal during postcard follow-up (E statistic = 3.74). Nonresponse bias may not be problematic with a > 50% response rate in this particular population. Front-loading incentives may prompt quicker response and improve cost-effectiveness. Specific design considerations for future consideration and testing are provided.