Recalcitrant Respondents, Data Quality Measures, and Mitigation Strategies

• Activity Number: 120
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 1, 2016 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Shannon Nelson* and Catherine C. Haggerty and Katherine Burda and Steven Pedlow and Richard Windle
• Companies: NORC at the University of Chicago and NORC at the University of Chicago and NORC at the University of Chicago and NORC at the University of Chicago and Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Abstract

The Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) collects expansive financial data from households. Gaining cooperation is challenging due to the complex and sensitive nature of the questionnaire. While the concerns and anxieties of many sample members are alleviated upon learning about NORC's long-standing reputation as a legitimate research organization and the extensive security measures in place to protect their data, others remain highly skeptical and guarded even after agreeing to participate. Are the data provided by skeptical respondents less complete than those who participate more willingly? This research will examine the 2013 SCF data to identify recalcitrant respondents, as defined by cases completing after a higher than average incidence of number of contacts, longer than average time in-between the first and last contact, and/or dispositions indicating a refusal or conversion complete. Based on findings from the 2013 data, we will develop a report that will be automatically generated throughout the 2016 round to alert FIs to cases for which extra care should be taken when data is collected. Our presentation will include our interviewer coaching protocol and early experiences.