Response Bias and Wave Analysis of Mailed Questionnaires in Tourism Impact Assessments

Abstract

Common concerns of tourism impact researchers are the rate of return on surveys and the possibility of nonresponse bias issues. Most tourism impact research uses mail surveys. In order to achieve high response rates, multiple mailings (waves) are often employed. Of concern are the differences between waves and the appropriate timing of the cutoff of mailings during the research process. This study examined the attitudinal and sociodemographic differences in three waves and a check of nonresponse bias. The study suggests that no differences exist in the waves, yet some differences exist between respondents and nonrespondents. Methodological implications are identified and discussed.