Improving Survey Response

High response rates have traditionally been considered as one of
the main indicators of survey quality. Obtaining high response
rates is sometimes difficult and expensive, but clearly plays a
beneficial role in terms of improving data quality. It is becoming
increasingly clear, however, that simply boosting response to
achieve a higher response rate will not in itself eradicate
nonresponse bias. In this book the authors argue that high response
rates should not be seen as a goal in themselves, but rather as
part of an overall survey quality strategy based on random
probability sampling and aimed at minimising nonresponse bias.
Key features of Improving Survey Response:
* A detailed coverage of nonresponse issues, including a unique
examination of cross-national survey nonresponse processes and
outcomes.
* A discussion of the potential causes of nonresponse and
practical strategies to combat it.
* A detailed examination of the impact of nonresponse and of
techniques for adjusting for it once it has occurred.
* Examples of best practices and experiments drawn from 25
European countries.
* Supplemented by the European Social Survey (ESS) websites,
containing materials for the measurement and analysis of
nonresponse based on detailed country-level response process
datasets.
The book is designed to help survey researchers and those
commissioning surveys by explaining how to prioritise the reduction
of nonresponse bias rather than focusing on increasing the overall
response rate. It shows substantive researchers how nonresponse can
impact on substantive outcomes.