Assessing the Impact of Modifying the Introduction on the National Immunization Survey
Tiffani Balok
NORC at the University of Chicago
Laurie D. Elam-Evans
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Qiao Ma
NORC at the University of Chicago
Megha S. Ravanam
NORC at the University of Chicago
Christopher Scott
NORC at the University of Chicago
Benjamin Skalland
NORC at the University of Chicago
Chalanda Smith
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Vincent Welch
NORC at the University of Chicago
In 2018, the National Immunization Survey (NIS)transitioned from a dual-frame landline and cell-phone sample design to a single-frame cell phone sample design. As response rates continue to be lower for cell phones than for landlines, it is important to identify methods for increasing response rates for the NIS. Evaluations were conducted on the NIS Surveys to determine the impact of modified introduction scripts on survey completion rates. In Quarter 2, approximately half of the telephone interviewers were trained to use a progressive engagement methodology (pausing at appropriate times so that the respondent can participate in a conversational manner) on the current introduction text. The remaining interviewers were trained to continue to read the text in the traditional way. In Quarter 3, interviewers were randomly selected to be trained on one of four conditions: the current version, a shortened version, a version emphasizing the purpose and importance of the study, or an informal version of the introduction text. This paper presents the study design, results, conclusions, limitations, and recommendations for future research.