Internet, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method

Overall there appears to be some confusion over the purpose of the book, but if you are trying to improve responses and design of the actual instrument, this book is excellent. If you need help figuring out sampling and the such, you aren't ready for the book. There are many people who do still use paper surveys and even mail them and given it's in the title, it's a bit surprising reviewers found this absurd. Perhaps more absurd are the complaints relating to how unscientific the work is. Dillman has published a great deal in the scientific literature on how to improve the quality of the data through better visual design. That is not saying he does not understand the importance of sampling. It does indicate the book he is going to write is going to assume you have very basic understanding of survey methodology and you are looking to improve the usability of a survey with the assumption in mind. Dillman's research provides excellent guidelines for creating visual surveys that are likely to improve the accuracy and reliability of the responses. If that's what you are looking for, it's the best book on the subject and is grounded in the literature. If you need a book on sampling, come back to this book later.

Definitely a must have for anyone looking at conducting a thorough large-scale survey!

I used this book when I developed surveys for my research and in developing telephone surveys for agencies. I recommend it to my graduate students when they are struggling with how to do mail or telephone surveys. Don't let the publication date keep you from obtaining this book. It is still applicable today.

Dillman covers everything: how to phrase questions, how and when to mail the surveys, how large to print, even how to fold the paper. An extensive, interesting piece on how to attain representative, valid information from the public. I've heard no one say they've used the TDM and recieved under 60% participation!

Donald Dillman illustrates how inexpensive mail surveys can achieve impressive response rates. I've used the TDM numerous times in Canada, the UK and Australia and also realized response rates over 65%. Response rates of this size significantly reduce the opportunity for a non-response bias. The only people who won't like this book are those who operate expensive telephone or personal interviewing companies!