Sociodemographic factors and mail survey response

Effects of sociodemographic factors on mail survey response rate, response speed, and data quality are summarized. Consistent with previous reviews, evidence for effects of education is strongest with possible effects of age and gender. Evidence for effects of other sociodemographic factors is either ambiguous or absent. Speed and quality of response are also associated with educational level and possibly age. Sociodemographic factors are briefly discussed in light of three theories of mail survey response behavior. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.