Calibration Weighting for Nonresponse that is Not Missing at Random: Allowing More Calibration than Response-Model Variables

• Activity Number: 167
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 10, 2015 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Phil Kott*
• Companies: RTI International
• Keywords: Calibration equation ; Weight-adjustment function ; Shadow variable ; Double protection

Abstract

Calibration weighting can be used to remove bias when unit nonresponse is a function of one or more survey variables. This is done by allowing the model variables in the weight-adjustment function to differ from the variables in the calibration equation. An extension of calibration weighting allows there to be more calibration variables than model variables. Rather than equating the two sides of a calibration equation, the difference between the sides is minimized in some sense. This paper discusses some ways of doing that. A promising solution results instead from an alternative version of the calibration equation. A helpful insight into choosing calibration variables for given model variables follows.