University of Tasmania, Australia

Increasing Response Rates

eVALUate surveys are an important part of the UTAS culture. Our response rates have been positive since we started using the online system however we need to keep working to maintain and improve them. At SERRU we send out email reminders, post on facebook and tweet students to encourage them to complete their surveys. We also answer numerous student concerns and questions and are working on communicating to students why their feedback is valued and needed.

The key to getting and keeping good response rates, however, is academic staff engagement with their students. We've listed here some of the best ways that you can increase your response rates for your eVALUate surveys.

In addition to these tips for increasing response rates we have sample emails that you can use, a pdf version of the eVALUate poster and Powerpoint slides that you can use in lectures. Click on the links below:

• Sample emails
• eVALUate poster
• eVALUate Powerpoint slide

Tips for improving response rates

The three key factors to improving response rates in student surveys are academic engagement, valuing student feedback and reassuring students on confidentiality.

1. Academic Staff Engagement

• Give your students an early reminder 2-3 weeks priors to the end of semester that the eVALUate surveys will be coming up soon.

• Tell you students that the eVALUate survey period has begun.

• You can give students time in class to complete their eVALUate surveys if the students have access to computers.

• Email the students to let them know how important their feedback is to you and to the School. Encourage them to fill in their eVALUate surveys.

2. Valuing Student Feedback

• Give some examples to students of how you used their feedback from the last class. If this is in the course outline it helps to repeat to them what changes have resulted from student feedback. An example could be: "Last semester the evaluations from students said that you wanted more information online so this year I have posted up more course notes for you to use".

• It is important that the students see that you value their feedback and give well-considered responses.

3. Address Concerns about Confidentiality

• Students are often concerned about confidentiality with the online surveys. We have strict confidentiality procedures that we communicate to students however, it has a much better impact if you reassure them that the process is confidential, that the feedback is anonymous and that you don't receive reports until after the semester is finished.