If researchers have the choice, a survey should be targeted for delivery in early winter. If researchers must conduct a survey in other months, a lower response rate should be expected and researchers need to carefully consider the bias this may inject into survey results. Alternatives for dealing with the lower response rate may need to be considered, such as monetary compensation. Second, farmers are willing to spend relatively little time completing mail surveys. Without compensation, the majority of crop farmers will not spend more than about ten minutes.
Anecdotal evidence suggests lengthy surveys are the norm in agricultural economics survey research.
Surveys need to be short and tightly-focused if they are to be effective instruments in measuring the intended constructs. Third, cash compensation may be required in order to assure desired response rates from crop farmers. The requirement for compensation is related to the length of the questionnaire and whether it is conducted by a private or public entity. While this is a small amount viewed on an individual basis, it could wreak havoc with project budgets in a large nationwide survey. Fourth, the results of this study are instructive with regard to the negative aspects of the information revolution.