A comparison of three survey methods to obtain data for community mental health program planning

摘要: A perennial problem for mental health planners is assessing community needs and existing services. The three most common methods used to obtain this data are the telephone survey, mail-out questionnaire, face-to-face interview. However, there advantages disadvantages associated with each approach in terms of sampling, response rates, economic costs. present study utilized all survey same population order determine comparability obtained relative efficacy methods. standard 21-item questionnaire was developed demographic epidemiological data. This included nine Likert-type items opionions on a typical question such as "To what extent would you have confidence recommending Mental Health Center members your immediate family?" In first method, teams made door-to-door interviews complete 449 questionnaires random sample. second 1,000 were mailed sample returns requested. third 224 people randomly selected from directory asked respond over phone. Precautions taken ensure confidentiality responses. All respondents classified according two-factor index based occupation education. analyed whether comparable through divergent Results discussed implications given planners.