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Early and Late Participation during the Field Period: Response Timing in a Mixed-Mode Probability-Based Panel Survey

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  • Tobias Gummer
  • Bella Struminskaya

Abstract

Reluctance of respondents to participate in surveys has long drawn the attention of survey researchers. Yet, little is known about what drives a respondent’s decision to answer the survey invitation early or late during the field period. Moreover, we still lack evidence on response timing in longitudinal surveys. That is, the questions on whether response timing is a rather stable respondent characteristic and what—if anything—affects change in response timing across different interviews remain open. We relied on data from a mixed-mode general population panel survey collected between 2014 and 2016 to study the stability of response timing across 18 panel waves and factors that influence the decision to participate early or late in the field period. Our results suggest that the factors which had effects on response timing are different in the mail and web modes. Moreover, we found that experience with prior panel waves affected the respondent’s decision to participate early or late. Overall, the present study advocates understanding response timing as a metric variable and, consequently, the need to reflect this in modeling strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Gummer & Bella Struminskaya, 2023. "Early and Late Participation during the Field Period: Response Timing in a Mixed-Mode Probability-Based Panel Survey," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 52(2), pages 909-932, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:52:y:2023:i:2:p:909-932
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124120914921
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jamie C. Moore & Gabriele B. Durrant & Peter W. F. Smith, 2018. "Data set representativeness during data collection in three UK social surveys: generalizability and the effects of auxiliary covariate choice," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 181(1), pages 229-248, January.
    2. Vidal Rada, 2005. "The Effect of Follow-up Mailings on The Response Rate and Response Quality in Mail Surveys," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 39(1), pages 1-18, February.
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