Non-response

Non-response refers to the failure of a subject, individual, or system to provide an expected or required answer, reaction, or participation in a specific situation. This can manifest in various ways, such as refusal to answer a survey question, lack of participation in a study, or an absence of feedback following a request or communication. The significance of Non-response lies in its potential to bias results, skew data, or hinder the completion of tasks. It's a pervasive problem that necessitates careful consideration and mitigation strategies across numerous fields, including market research, scientific studies, and communication.

Non-response meaning with examples

• The market research team faced a significant problem with Non-response to their customer satisfaction survey. A low response rate meant the data was not representative of their customer base, potentially leading to flawed decisions. They implemented strategies to encourage participation like shorter surveys and incentives, which helped to improve the response rate and validity of their study.
• In a medical trial, Non-response from patients to a new treatment can undermine the study’s reliability. If participants consistently report a lack of improvement or side effects, then the results can lack clarity. Investigators carefully considered this possibility, and they worked hard to provide ongoing support and monitoring to enhance patient participation and encourage honest answers.
• During an election, Non-response by specific demographic groups can lead to skewed vote counts and inaccurate predictions. If particular populations choose not to cast their vote, then it is less likely that a general election mirrors a general population vote. Election officials actively work to engage under-represented groups to foster wider participation and improve electoral representativeness.
• A company sending out a newsletter may experience high rates of Non-response to calls to action, like clicking a link to view more content. This could suggest that the content is not engaging or relevant, causing a high non-response. They need to assess their audience’s preferences and adjust their communication strategy to boost engagement and produce measurable results.