2014 Census Test Results on Alternative Methods to Optimize Self-Response for the 2020 Census

• Activity Number: 494
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2015 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Michael Bentley* and Cynthia Rothhaas
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: Self-response ; Experiment ; Census ; Internet ; Email ; Response Rates

Abstract

To meet the strategic goals and objectives for the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau is exploring ways of leveraging technology and different response modes and contact strategies to optimize self-response enumeration. As part of the 2014 Census Test, eight different experimental panels were tested to compare different contact strategies for optimizing response rates. The unifying theme underlying each of the strategies was the goal of encouraging households to respond online using the Internet. These approaches included having respondents signup in advance to receive email or text messages in lieu of mail materials as a contact method for response, Internet response without a unique User ID, email invitations to respond to the census, and automated voice reminders. This paper presents the findings from the research.