Top 10 tips for conducting a postal survey

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I’ve spent the last year organising a postal survey of GP patients. Having overseen the mail-out of nearly 15,000 questionnaires, I thought I would offer a few thoughts on how to get through a big survey with both yourself and the data intact…

1. Learn how to mail merge between Word and Excel.
   • To create your ID labels – this will look much more professional and will be faster than handwriting.
2. Get help stuffing envelopes if possible
   • Avoid developing Repetitive Strain Injury! Otherwise, at least take regular breaks.
3. If using unique ID numbers, label the outside of the envelope AND the questionnaire.
   • This speeds up the process of identifying any participants to exclude.
4. Remember to buy the correct sized stamps for your envelopes
   • I guarantee you will only make this mistake once!
5. Do as much preparation in advance of the mail out as possible
   • Whilst you have time.
6. Buy a date stamp!
   • It’s much easier than writing the date by hand.
7. Use VLOOKUP formulae in excel to help you log your questionnaire returns
   • This reduces typing errors and avoids the, “trying to find a needle in a haystack” scenario at a later date.
8. Record questionnaires as being returned even if they are incomplete
   • You don’t want to send reminders to these people – you can always leave notes to yourself to say they are blank.
9. Allow a minimum of 3 weeks between reminders
   • Give people a chance to respond!
10. Consistency is key
    • But common sense makes an excellent key fob.