Response Rate
What is Response Rate in Surveys?
Response Rate in surveys is the percentage of people who complete and return a survey out of the total number of people who were invited to participate.
Synonyms: survey response rate, participant response rate, survey completion rate, response percentage

Why Response Rate is Important
A high response rate indicates that the survey results are more likely to be representative of the entire group being studied. This helps reduce bias and improves the reliability of the survey findings.
How Response Rate is Used
Researchers calculate the response rate by dividing the number of completed surveys by the total number of people invited, then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage. This metric helps assess the quality and credibility of the survey data.
Examples of Response Rate
If 200 people are invited to take a survey and 150 complete it, the response rate is (150/200) x 100 = 75%. A response rate above 60% is generally considered good in many survey contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a good response rate for surveys? A response rate above 60% is often considered good, but this can vary by survey type and audience.
- Why does response rate matter? It affects how accurately the survey results reflect the views of the entire group.
- Can a low response rate still provide useful data? Yes, but it may increase the risk of bias and reduce confidence in the results.
- How can response rates be improved? By making surveys shorter, offering incentives, and sending reminders.