Noncontingent incentives are traditionally used in survey research as a way of increasing survey response rates. The concept of noncontigent versus contingent incentives is that a noncontigent incentive is given to the respondent regardless of whether the survey is [Page 517]completed, whereas a contingent incentive is given contingent on the respondent's cooperation in completing the survey. Typically, the noncontmgent incentive would be given at the time the respondent receives the request to complete the survey. This type of incentive is most commonly used with mailed surveys, although it can be used in any survey mode. The most common type of noncontingent incentive in survey research is a monetary incentive paid in the form of cash or as a cash alternative, such as a check. The ...