Abstract:

Response rates are among the hottest topics in the research industry. Panel research, in particular, is directly confronted with the effects of declining response rates. In the Netherlands, one of the hardest groups to get co-operation from is young people. This paper focusses on attempts to raise response rates of diary research among groups aged 18 - 29 years. It presents results of a number of tests performed in the Dutch radio diary panel. This paper analyses the relevant factors influencing response rates and the effect of motivational calls during the fieldwork period, reminder cards, and specific incentives. The possibilities of an interesting innovation, the e-Diary, are discussed.