530 – SPEED: Survey Research Methods
Comparing Alternative Methods for the Random Selection of a Respondent Within a Household for Online Surveys
Geneviève Vézina
Statistics Canada
Pierre Caron
Statistics Canada
Online self-reported surveys present an alternative to traditional collection modes. As such, Statistics Canada is gradually moving to online surveys for the majority of its household surveys. This new collection mode however does present challenges in the need to randomly select a household member to complete the survey. Historically, an initial paper invitation is sent by mail and selection of a household member is done through rostering. If the selected member is not the person who completed the roster, a handing-off of the survey to the selected person is needed, which may however increase the survey's non-response rate. Alternative methods for individual selection before accessing the online application are proposed to avoid this hand-off request. We present two such methods that were tested: the last birthday method and an age-order method. For these methods, the selection is done using instructions on the paper invitation so that only the selected household member will have to access the online application. Response rates and selection inaccuracy rates were compared between the two alternative methods as well as with the traditional roster method. Results of the comparisons will be presented and discussed.