What Factors Affect Establishment Respondents' Decision to Participate in Government Surveys?

• Activity Number: 112
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 12, 2002 : 12:00 PM to 1:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Survey Research Methods*
• Author(s): Sylvia Fisher*+
• Affiliation(s): U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Keywords: Establishment surveys ; Reasons for non-response ; Response rates

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine reasons why some U.S. establishments choose to participate in government surveys, while others fail to respond, despite repeated requests for participation. A detailed interview was conducted either by telephone or at the establishment site with establishments who were identified as excellent and reliable respondents, as well as with a group of non-respondent establishments that failed to participate, despite numerous interventions. Participating establishments varied in size and were selected from throughout the U.S. Participants were queried about factors affecting their decision to participate in government surveys, including establishment factors (e.g., size, type of industry, etc.), internal processing of incoming government survey requests, barriers to survey participation, confidentiality issues, and attitudes toward survey participation. Non-respondents were asked specifically about reasons for failing to respond to government requests for survey participation, as well as their opinion of a number of strategies that could be implemented to encourage future participation. This poster will document the results.