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Web Survey Bibliography

Title Nonresponse and Mode Effects in a Two-wave Randomized Mode Experiment
Year 2012
Access date 30.08.2012
Abstract

Mixed-mode surveys, which are becoming more common in the industry, are conducted as a way to reduce coverage and nonresponse errors. While many surveys offer mode choice, researchers conducting panel surveys also use different modes for different waves (interviewer-based first, then selfadministered), or switch to a more cost-effective mode (e.g., web) after using an interviewer-based approach (e.g., phone). This paper will explore nonresponse and mode effects in an undergraduate student satisfaction survey experiment conducted at University of Pittsburgh in 2007-2009. In anticipation of switching from a phone to a web survey, freshmen and sophomores from two cohorts (n=2,507) were randomly assigned to either telephone or web survey conditions in a two-wave panel survey. Approximately one-fourth of the students were assigned to each of four conditions: (1) FR phone, SO phone; (2) FR phone, SO web; (3) FR web, SO web, (4) FR web, SO phone. Students could be surveyed as sophomores even if they had not completed a freshman survey. Preliminary analyses of baseline (2007) data revealed both differential response rates by mode and mode effects on satisfaction ratings. The paper will present nonresponse patterns across the four conditions for the total sample and key subgroups, along with wave 2 response propensity models using wave 1 and wave 2 mode assignment, response (vs. not) at wave 1, and demographic variables (from administrative data) as predictors. For those responding to both waves, mode effects on key student satisfaction indicators at wave 2 will be examined using a similar regression approach. To explore potential links between nonresponse and mode effects, wave 2 satisfaction ratings will be regressed on response (vs. not) at wave 1, wave 1 and wave 2 mode, and demographic variables. Results have implications for mode switches in panel surveys, particularly among college students.

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Year of publication2012
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
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Web survey bibliography - The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) 67th Annual Conference, 2012 (50)