The cover letter for both the paper (see Appendix A) and online surveys contained information about how long the questionnaire would take to complete and anonymity of participants‟ responses (see Appendix B). A written caution was included asking the participants not to disclose information about the survey to others to avoid potential threats to women who might be experiencing domestic violence. The cover letter was titled “Women‟s Life Experience Survey” to minimize the chances of men going to it and reducing the chances of spouses or partners learning about the survey. However, the cover letter stated clearly the study‟s purpose of learning about domestic violence among South Asian women in the United States. It also informed readers that participation was completely voluntary. The survey materials included information about and telephone
numbers for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, local South Asian women‟s organizations, and local shelters that participants (or others they know) could call
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for help if needed. In appreciation of their time, participants were offered an opportunity to enter a drawing to win one of five $50 Amazon gift certificates.
PAPER AND WEB-BASED SURVEYS
The paper survey package contained a self-report questionnaire (see Appendix C); a cover letter explaining the study; a self-addressed, stamped envelope to return the questionnaire; a postcard to be returned to the researcher if the participants wanted to take part in the gift certificate drawing; and a blank greeting card for participants‟ use as a gesture of appreciation for completing the survey. Participants who took the paper survey were asked not to put their name or any identifying information on the questionnaire and to return it by mail. The participants were asked to mail the postcard for the drawing separately (not with the questionnaire) with their mailing information. The postcard also contained the rather ambiguous title “Women‟s Life Experience Survey” to further protect partcipants. Participants were informed that their survey would be anonymous, and if they entered the drawing, their identity would be kept confidential. If the potential participants had any questions, the investigator was available by telephone or e-mail.
A Web-based survey also was used to increase response rates. Web-based surveys are an inexpensive and flexible method that allows obtaining responses from a wider population (Dillman, 2007). Survey Monkey (2006), a software program for designing Web surveys, was used to develop and administer the
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online survey. Participants were instructed on how to access the Web survey, the security issues related to data collection, and the fact that their participation would benefit domestic violence research. Participants who completed the Web survey were asked to forward their contact information separately via e-mail or regular mail if they wanted to enter the drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift certificate. To increase the response rate, one follow-up e-mail announcement was sent to the organizations and Listservs.
Participant recruitment through distribution of flyers and paper surveys with survey returned by mail
In the targeted cities (New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, and Austin), the researcher was available to provide the survey to individuals who learned about it through a flyer (see Appendix D) or e-mail and chose to either call or e-mail the researcher to obtain a survey packet by mail. Flyers were also distributed at events that included both men and women attendees and both flyers and survey packets were distributed at events
specifically for women. Women who took a packet could take the survey later in private – at their convenience – and mail it to the researcher if they wished.
Participant recruitment through the Internet and completion of the Web- based survey
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Many potential participants were recruited through various Internet e-mail Listservs for South Asians or members of South Asian associations or groups (local, state, or national) in the United States, including the selected cities with large South Asian populations. Initial contacts with these groups were made through e-mail (see Appendix E). Groups were asked to forward the information to their members. In addition to Listserv distribution, groups were asked to post a link to the study‟s Web site on their Web site. To further increase participation, the principal investigator also attended various women groups to personally distribute flyers with information on the e-mail survey. The flyers directed potential participants to an Internet Web site that provided information about the study, including a cover letter explaining the study that potential participants could review to learn more about the study. After reading the cover letter, those who wished to participate were asked “to click” a link (box) to indicate that they had read the informed consent and that they wanted to participate. Once they agreed, they were directed to the front page of the survey. Because of the use of large numbers of online groups and Listservs, it is impossible to determine how many women saw the announcement and to calculate the response rate. In order to increase the number of responses, one follow-up announcement (see Appendix F) was sent to the online groups and Listservs that initially received the
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Participant recruitment by leaving survey packets at various locations for return by mail, or, alternatively, completion and return on the Web
Survey packets were left with a few South Asian organizations/agencies in Chicago and the Bay Area of California that agreed to assist the researcher by asking women if they would like to participate in the survey and/or by posting a flyer about the survey.The flyer contained the researcher‟s contact information, the Web survey link, and contact information of the agencies that had the survey packets for distribution. Women could complete the paper survey contained in the packet and return it to the researcher by mail or, if they preferred, take the survey on the Web.