Data Collection: Enhancing Response Rates & Limiting Errors Chapter 10

Types of Error Sampling error Sampling error Noncoverage error Noncoverage error Nonresponse error Nonresponse error Response error Response error Office error Office error

Sampling Error What is sampling error? What is sampling error? How can it be reduced? How can it be reduced?

Noncoverage Error “Failure to include some elements of the defined target population in the sampling frame” “Failure to include some elements of the defined target population in the sampling frame” How can it be reduced? How can it be reduced?

Nonresponse Error What is it? What is it? Two main sources Two main sources Refusals Refusals Methods Methods Types of people Types of people Reasons Reasons Not-at-homes Not-at-homes Callbacks Callbacks

Response Error Response is given, but is inaccurate Response is given, but is inaccurate To reduce, ask questions: To reduce, ask questions: Does respondent understand question? Does respondent understand question? Does respondent know the answer? Does respondent know the answer? Is respondent willing to provide true answer? Is respondent willing to provide true answer? Will wording of question cause bias? Will wording of question cause bias?

Office Errors Editing Editing Coding Coding Analyzing Analyzing Monitor TOTAL error Monitor TOTAL error

Response Rates Basic calculating equation: Basic calculating equation: Web-based and mail equation: Web-based and mail equation: Telephone surveys equation: Telephone surveys equation:

Improving Response Rates Make it interesting Make it interesting Survey length Survey length Guarantee confidentiality or Anonymity Guarantee confidentiality or Anonymity Interviewer training Interviewer training Personalization Personalization Response incentives Response incentives Follow-up surveys Follow-up surveys