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Using proxy measures and other correlates of survey outcomes to adjust for non‐response: examples from multiple surveys

Author

Listed:
  • F. Kreuter
  • K. Olson
  • J. Wagner
  • T. Yan
  • T. M. Ezzati‐Rice
  • C. Casas‐Cordero
  • M. Lemay
  • A. Peytchev
  • R. M. Groves
  • T. E. Raghunathan

Abstract

Summary. Non‐response weighting is a commonly used method to adjust for bias due to unit non‐response in surveys. Theory and simulations show that, to reduce bias effectively without increasing variance, a covariate that is used for non‐response weighting adjustment needs to be highly associated with both the response indicator and the survey outcome variable. In practice, these requirements pose a challenge that is often overlooked, because those covariates are often not observed or may not exist. Surveys have recently begun to collect supplementary data, such as interviewer observations and other proxy measures of key survey outcome variables. To the extent that these auxiliary variables are highly correlated with the actual outcomes, these variables are promising candidates for non‐response adjustment. In the present study, we examine traditional covariates and new auxiliary variables for the National Survey of Family Growth, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the American National Election Survey, the European Social Surveys and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute survey. We provide empirical estimates of the association between proxy measures and response to the survey request as well as the actual survey outcome variables. We also compare unweighted and weighted estimates under various non‐response models. Our results from multiple surveys with multiple recruitment protocols from multiple organizations on multiple topics show the difficulty of finding suitable covariates for non‐response adjustment and the need to improve the quality of auxiliary data.

Suggested Citation

  • F. Kreuter & K. Olson & J. Wagner & T. Yan & T. M. Ezzati‐Rice & C. Casas‐Cordero & M. Lemay & A. Peytchev & R. M. Groves & T. E. Raghunathan, 2010. "Using proxy measures and other correlates of survey outcomes to adjust for non‐response: examples from multiple surveys," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 173(2), pages 389-407, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jorssa:v:173:y:2010:i:2:p:389-407
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-985X.2009.00621.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katharine G. Abraham & Aaron Maitland & Suzanne M. Bianchi, 2006. "Non-response in the American Time Use Survey: Who Is Missing from the Data and How Much Does It Matter?," NBER Technical Working Papers 0328, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. repec:mpr:mprres:4780 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Cheti Nicoletti & Franco Peracchi, 2005. "Survey response and survey characteristics: microlevel evidence from the European Community Household Panel," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 168(4), pages 763-781, November.
    4. Peter Lynn, 2003. "PEDAKSI: Methodology for Collecting Data about Survey Non-Respondents," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 239-261, August.
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