666 – Sampling and Survey Methods
Modeling the Optimal Contact Mode in the Current Population Survey
John Dixon
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Brian Meekins
AARP
Polly Phipps
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Current Population Survey (CPS) is designed to measure labor force characteristics of the United States, as well as other population characteristics. Households are interviewed eight times; four consecutive months, followed by an eight month break, then four more consecutive months. Interviewers contact households in person for the first interview and subsequent interviews are often done by telephone. Because of the eight-month break, conducting the fifth interview in person is encouraged; however, 40% are conducted by telephone. This study uses paradata from the Contact History Instrument (CHI) to determine which households are best for telephone mode in the fifth interview, and which are best for a personal interview. The model in this study includes interviewer effort, differences in regions, age, race, ethnicity, gender and labor force status of the previous respondent, and respondent concerns to explore the impact of mode on nonresponse. The best mode for households will be modeled using a competing risk model where interviewer effort and likelihood of nonresponse are minimized. The results can be used by managers and interviewers to decide which mode should be used.