Abstract #300563

This is the preliminary program for the 2003 Joint Statistical Meetings in San Francisco, California. Currently included in this program is the "technical" program, schedule of invited, topic contributed, regular contributed and poster sessions; Continuing Education courses (August 2-5, 2003); and Committee and Business Meetings. This on-line program will be updated frequently to reflect the most current revisions.

To View the Program:
You may choose to view all activities of the program or just parts of it at any one time. All activities are arranged by date and time.

The views expressed here are those of the individual authors
and not necessarily those of the ASA or its board, officers, or staff.

Back to main JSM 2003 Program page
JSM 2003 Abstract #300563
Activity Number: 279
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 5, 2003 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
Sponsor: Section on Survey Research Methods
Abstract - #300563
Title: Can We Improve Our Methods to Reduce Nonresponse Bias in RDD Surveys?
Author(s): Roberta L. Sangster*+
Companies: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Address: 2755 Ordway St. NW, # 508, Washington, DC, 20008-5005,
Keywords: RDD surveys ; telephone surveys ; nonresponse ; nonresponse bias ; calling strategies
Abstract:

There is general consensus that response rates are declining in RDD telephone surveys. The decline has been controlled in many surveys by increasing effort and thus the cost of data collection. In telephone surveys the typical types of compensation are refusal conversion and increasing the number of call attempts. Both methods tend to be costly and time-consuming, and increase respondent burden and frustration. Other strategies to improve response include research on how to deal with answering machines, best time and days to call, and adding advance letters into the survey process. None of these ideas have ever been pulled together into one coherent theory. This paper argues that it is time to revise our calling strategy for RDD surveys to better address how to reduce nonresponse bias. It proposes that we development a model that optimizes calling strategies with the express intent to reduce nonresponse bias.

  • The address information is for the authors that have a + after their name.
  • Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.

Back to the full JSM 2003 program

JSM 2003 For information, contact meetings@amstat.org or phone (703) 684-1221. If you have questions about the Continuing Education program, please contact the Education Department.
Revised March 2003