Testing Contact Strategies to Improve Response in the 2012 Economic Census

• Activity Number: 163
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 10, 2015 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Government Statistics Section
• Author(s): Erica Marquette* and Michael Kornbau and Junilsa Toribio
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: Contact Strategies ; Economic Census ; Improve Response

Abstract

The U.S. Census Bureau tested several contact and response strategies in the 2012 Economic Census for increasing or maintaining overall response while increasing internet response. Another important goal was to maintain or decrease cost as data collection costs have been increasing. These contact strategies included a targeted advanced mailing, reminder phone calls, letter-only follow-ups, and certified mailing follow-ups for companies that only have one location. Additionally, contact exchange forms sent prior to initial mailout for small multiple location companies were also tested. We will provide a description of the methods for each test, discuss the results in detail and describe how the results will effect mailout for future economic surveys.