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The long‐term effectiveness of refusal conversion procedures on longitudinal surveys

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  • Jonathan Burton
  • Heather Laurie
  • Peter Lynn

Abstract

Summary. Survey organizations often attempt to ‘convert’ sample members who refuse to take part in a survey. Persuasive techniques are used in an effort to change the refusers’ minds and to agree to an interview. This is done to improve the response rate and, possibly, to reduce non‐response bias. However, refusal conversion attempts are expensive and must be justified. Previous studies of the effects of refusal conversion attempts are few and have been restricted to cross‐sectional surveys. The criteria for ‘success’ of a refusal conversion attempt are different in a longitudinal survey, where for many purposes the researcher requires complete data over multiple waves. The paper uses data from the British Household Panel Survey from 1994 to 2003 to assess the long‐term effectiveness of refusal conversion procedures in terms of sample sizes, sample composition and data quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Burton & Heather Laurie & Peter Lynn, 2006. "The long‐term effectiveness of refusal conversion procedures on longitudinal surveys," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 169(3), pages 459-478, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jorssa:v:169:y:2006:i:3:p:459-478
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-985X.2006.00415.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Fitzgerald & Peter Gottschalk & Robert Moffitt, 1998. "An Analysis of Sample Attrition in Panel Data: The Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 33(2), pages 251-299.
    2. John Fitzgerald & Peter Gottschalk & Robert Moffitt, 1998. "An Analysis of the Impact of Sample Attrition on the Second Generation of Respondents in the Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 33(2), pages 300-344.
    3. F. Thomas Juster & Richard Suzman, 1995. "An Overview of the Health and Retirement Study," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 30, pages 7-56.
    4. Lynn, Peter & S. Clarke, Paul, 2001. "Separating refusal bias and non-contact bias: evidence from UK national surveys," ISER Working Paper Series 2001-24, Institute for Social and Economic Research.
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    Cited by:

    1. Watson, Nicole & Pudney, Stephen, 2013. "If at first you don’t succeed? Fieldwork, panel attrition, and health-employment inferences in BHPS and HILDA," ISER Working Paper Series 2013-27, Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    2. Laura Fumagalli & Heather Laurie & Peter Lynn, 2013. "Experiments with methods to reduce attrition in longitudinal surveys," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 176(2), pages 499-519, February.
    3. Rafael Denadai & Junior Chun-Yu Tu & Ya-Ru Tsai & Yi-Ning Tsai & Emma Yuh-Jia Hsieh & Betty CJ Pai & Chih-Hao Chen & Alex Kane & Lun-Jou Lo & Pang-Yun Chou, 2019. "Workflow and Strategies for Recruitment and Retention in Longitudinal 3D Craniofacial Imaging Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Adrian Chadi, 2019. "Dissatisfied with life or with being interviewed? Happiness and the motivation to participate in a survey," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 53(3), pages 519-553, October.
    5. Jörg-Peter Schräpler & Jürgen Schupp & Gert G. Wagner, 2013. "Conversion of Non-Respondents in an Ongoing Panel Survey: The Case of the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP)," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 626, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    6. Peeters Laurie & De Coninck David & Wuyts Celine & Loosveldt Geert, 2020. "Assessing Interviewer Performance in Approaching Reissued Initial Nonrespondents," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 36(3), pages 589-607, September.
    7. Nicole Watson & Mark Wooden, 2011. "Re-engaging with Survey Non-respondents: The BHPS, SOEP and HILDA Survey Experience," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2011n02, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    8. Tiffany S. Neman, 2023. "When and Why Does Nonresponse Occur? Comparing the Determinants of Initial Unit Nonresponse and Panel Attrition," Working Papers 23-44, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.

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