Improving Survey Response

High response rates have traditionally been considered as one of the main indicators of survey quality. Obtaining high response rates is sometimes difficult and expensive, but clearly plays a beneficial role in terms of improving data quality. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that simply boosting response to achieve a higher response rate will not in itself eradicate nonresponse bias. In this book the authors argue that high response rates should not be seen as a goal in themselves, but rather as part of an overall survey quality strategy based on random probability sampling and aimed at minimising nonresponse bias. Key features of Improving Survey Response: A detailed coverage of nonresponse issues, including a unique examination of cross-national survey nonresponse processes and outcomes. A discussion of the potential causes of nonresponse and practical strategies to combat it. A detailed examination of the impact of nonresponse and of techniques for adjusting for it once it has occurred. Examples of best practices and experiments drawn from 25 European countries. Supplemented by the European Social Survey (ESS) websites, containing materials for the measurement and analysis of nonresponse based on detailed country-level response process datasets. The book is designed to help survey researchers and those commissioning surveys by explaining how to prioritise the reduction of nonresponse bias rather than focusing on increasing the overall response rate. It shows substantive researchers how nonresponse can impact on substantive outcomes.

High response rates have traditionally been considered as one ofthe main indicators of survey quality. Obtaining high responserates is sometimes difficult and expensive, but clearly plays abeneficial role in terms of improving data quality. It is becomingincreasingly clear, however, that simply boosting response toachieve a higher response rate will not in itself eradicatenonresponse bias. In this book the authors argue that high responserates should not be seen as a goal in themselves, but rather aspart of an overall survey quality strategy based on randomprobability sampling and aimed at minimising nonresponse bias.Key features of Improving Survey Response:* A detailed coverage of nonresponse issues, including a uniqueexamination of cross-national survey nonresponse processes andoutcomes.* A discussion of the potential causes of nonresponse andpractical strategies to combat it.* A detailed examination of the impact of nonresponse and oftechniques for adjusting for it once it has occurred.* Examples of best practices and experiments drawn from 25European countries.* Supplemented by the European Social Survey (ESS) websitescontaining materials for the measurement and analysis ofnonresponse based on detailed country-level response processdatasets.The book is designed to help survey researchers and thosecommissioning surveys by explaining how to prioritise the reductionof nonresponse bias rather than focusing on increasing the overallresponse rate. It shows substantive researchers how nonresponse canimpact on substantive outcomes.

1. Backgrounds of nonresponse1.1. Introduction1.2. Declining response rates1.3. Total survey quality and nonresponse1.4. Optimising comparability2. Survey response in cross-national studies2.1. Introduction2.2. Harmonisation models2.3. Contactability2.4. Ability to cooperate2.5. Willingness to cooperate2.6. Nonresponse bias2.7. Ethics and humans3. The European Social Survey3.1. Introduction3.2. What is the European Social Survey?3.3. ESS design and methodology3.4. Nonresponse targets, strategies and documentation3.5. Conclusions4. Implementation of the European Social Survey4.1. Introduction4.2. Basic survey features4.3. Practical fieldwork issues4.4. Summary and conclusions5. Response and nonresponse rates in the European SocialSurvey5.1. Data and definitions5.2. Response and nonresponse rates in ESS 35.3. Response rate differences and fieldwork efforts6. Response enhancement through extended interviewer efforts6.1. Introduction6.2. Previous research on contactability6.3. Previous research on cooperation6.4. Sample type and recruitment mode in the European SocialSurvey6.5. Establishing contact in the European Social Survey6.6. Obtaining cooperation in the European Social Survey6.7. Effects of enhanced field efforts in the European SocialSurvey6.8. Conclusion7. Refusal conversion7.1. Introduction7.2. Previous research7.3. Refusal conversion in the ESS7.4. Refusal conversion and data quality7.5. Discussion and conclusions8. Designs for detecting nonresponse bias and adjustment8.1. What is nonresponse bias?8.2. Methods for assessing nonresponse bias8.4. Final conclusions9. Lessons learned9.1. Introduction9.2. Standardisation, tailoring and control9.3. Achieving high response rates9.4. Refusal conversion9.5. Nonresponse bias9.6. Contact forms and fieldwork monitoring9.7. Into the future