Samenvatting
The effect of two important characteristics of Dillman's Total Design Method for mail surveys (personalized cover letters and last reminder by certified mail) were experimentally investigated. A sample from the general population of the Netherlands was used. If the Total Design Method is used the response in the Netherlands is comparable to the response in the United States (± 70%). Both personalization of cover letter and the use of certified mail is important; omission of either one results in a significantly lower response.