Longitudinal Patterns of Nonresponse Bias in the Current Population Survey

• Activity Number: 250
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 10, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): John Dixon*
• Companies: Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Keywords: Survey ; nonresponse ; bias

Abstract

Measures of nonresponse bias can provide information on survey quality through response rates and models of nonresponse propensity. This study uses contact history, demographic information, and prior responses to model longitudinal nonresponse bias in the Current Population Survey (CPS) estimates of labor force participation. Previous research into patterns of nonresponse rates in the CPS show seasonal and rotation group effects (Dixon, 2007 JSM proceedings). Similar patterns are examined for the measures of bias in labor force measures using nonresponse propensity models. These patterns may supplement the current data quality monitoring for the CPS as well as provide insights into potential sources of bias.