Reasons for Nonresponse on U.S. Navy Surveys: A Closer Look

Abstract: Lower response rates are a trend affecting both military and civilian surveys. TheNavy Equal Opportunity/Sexual Harassment (NEOSH) Survey obtained a responserate of 60% in 1989; by 1999, the rate had fallen to 30%. This study was conducted todetermine reasons for the low response rate and to obtain suggestions on how to miti-gate this issue on future surveys. A follow-up survey was administered to a randomsample of those selected for the 1999 NEOSH Survey. The top 3 reasons for not com-pleting surveys were a belief that surveys have no impact, general apathy toward sur-veys, and survey length. Suggestions for increasing response rates included provid-ing feedback, increasing command involvement, shortening survey length, andproviding incentives. When the responses of those who said they completed the NEOSH Survey were compared to those who indicated they did not, the responses ofthe two groups were similar for attitudinal items. However, completers endorsed fac-tual items assessing attendance at EO-related training more than noncompleters did.