I'm looking for information about response rates for course evaluations. My company uses Knowledge Advisor's "Metrics That Matter" survey solution to get student reaction to courses. Two days after a course is completed, the student receives an email with a link to an online survey about the class.

Knowledge Advisor's says that the average response rate is 70%. Our response rate is a little less than that. I'm looking for what the response rate is for in class "paper and pencil" evaluation surveys. My guess is that it's around 90-95%, but I'm looking for data, not guesses.

Does anyone know this answer or can you direct me to a resource that might know the answer.

Are you saying that you're sending what should be a tool to gather immediate learner reaction to a class two days after the class is over?

When I distribute my class evaluation, which consists of 4 open-ended questions about the learning experience, I get 100% back, including meaningful responses that I can use to improve the class and my facilitation. At the end of class, I frame the purpose of the evaluation and thank everyone in advance for their candid, thoughtful responses. I can honestly say that in over 15 years of training and soliciting learner feedback, I have *always* had a 100% response rate. I mean without fail. There is absolutely no reason for it to be less than that. Everyone likes to put in their two cents when given the opportunity.

P.S. -- If you're trying to prove something to your company about using paper and pencil surveys, and they wont listen to common sense and tacit knowledge, you've come to the wrong place. This is a discussion board where one may learn from others' experiences. Try the library if you need to supply these people with explicit factoids. Research. It's a good thing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Fanatic Facilitator,

Thanks for the info. Your second paragraph was exactly what I was looking for.

I couldn't tell the tone of your last paragraph, though. I felt like I was being chastised for asking for information that will help me do my job? I thought that's what this forum is for.

I was looking for a response or responses from people who had experience with course evaluations. I think I came to the right place.

PS - This was my first use of the Discussion Board in my 7 years of ASTD membership. I hope I don't get chastised after each posting.