Experimental Results from a Consumer Diary

• Activity Number: 121
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 5, 2013 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Kevin Foster*+
• Companies: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
• Keywords: Payments ; Survey ; Diary ; Mixed modes ; Survey conditioning ; Central bank - Federal Reserve

Abstract

We conducted four experiments and applied the results to design improvements for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's Diary of Consumer Payment Choice (DCPC). We asked if diarist payment reporting is affected when using mixed modes to report daily activities. Additionally, we measured diary experience, fatigue, and survey conditioning effects. Finally, we asked if the amount of "lead time" between mailing the diary packet and the assigned diary start date changes diarist behavior and reporting accuracy. The results of these experiments allowed the Boston Fed to make improvements to the DCPC which reduced both costs and administrative overhead.