e-Articles (Chapter 5)

Here are the titles of some full-length research articles that illustrate concepts discussed in this chapter. To view any article on-line, simply click on its title.

Use of Computers and Medical Databases in Family Practice in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Illustrates how the response rate of mailed questionnaires can end up being less than desirable. (See the first paragraph of the "Results" section.) Surprisingly, no attempt was made to contact those who did not respond.

Hypertension, Self-Perceived Health Status and Use of Primary Care Services

Provides a nice example of how researchers using mailed surveys should report and comment on their response rates. See (1) the last 2 sentences in the second paragraph and (2) the second sentence in the final paragraph.

Slapping and Spanking in Childhood and Its Association with Lifetime Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in a General Population Sample

Shows the use of a probability sample. Also shows how respondents can be compared against nonrespondents in an effort to investigate a possible response bias. (See the first 2 paragraphs of the article's "Methods" section.)

Experience of Non-Fatal Overdose Among Heroine Users in Adelaide, Australia

Shows that snowball samples are sometimes used in applied research studies. (See the first 2 sentences of the "Procedure" section.)

Evaluating the Effectiveness of 2 Educational Interventions in Family Practice

Illustrates the use of a systematic sample. (See the third paragraph of the "Methods" section of the full article.)

Marketing and Marketing Effectiveness Perceptions of Ohio Vocational Education Planning District (VEPD) Superintendents

This study is noteworthy for 2 reasons. First, the mailed questionnaire produced a response rate of 96.6%. Second, the researchers showed a concern for response bias (even though the response rate was so high) by comparing early to late respondents. (See the "Data Collection" section of the article.)

Copyright © 2003 Schuyler W. Huck
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