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Surveying individual political elites: a comparative three-country study

Author

Listed:
  • Stefaan Walgrave

    (Universiteit Antwerpen)

  • Jeroen K. Joly

    (Ghent University)

Abstract

This study examines and discusses survey strategies among political elites at different government levels in three countries; Belgium, Canada and Israel. More specifically, we discuss recruitment strategies that produce high response levels among hard to reach target populations in different political and cultural environments. Next, we also examine which political elites are most likely to engage in survey research and which ones are hardest to target. We find that (former) top elites (e.g. members of the executive, different types of leadership) are less likely to participate while regional politicians tend to be more likely to participate in this type of research. Finally, we analyze item non-response and find that the right mix of closed (survey) and open (interview-like) questions decreases item non-response. Moreover, after having established trust and rapport, respondents—even high profile elites—will provide answers to relatively personal and intrusive questions. While item non-response remains low in all three countries throughout the survey, there is a noticeable difference between Belgium and Canada on one hand, and Israel on the other, with markedly higher item non-response in the latter.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefaan Walgrave & Jeroen K. Joly, 2018. "Surveying individual political elites: a comparative three-country study," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(5), pages 2221-2237, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:52:y:2018:i:5:d:10.1007_s11135-017-0658-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-017-0658-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Regina Riphahn & Oliver Serfling, 2005. "Item non-response on income and wealth questions," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 521-538, September.
    2. Joachim R. Frick & Markus M. Grabka, 2007. "Item Non-response and Imputation of Annual Labor Income in Panel Surveys from a Cross-National Perspective," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 736, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    3. Miller, Warren E. & Stokes, Donald E., 1963. "Constituency Influence in Congress," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 57(1), pages 45-56, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Matias López, 2023. "The effect of sampling mode on response rate and bias in elite surveys," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 1303-1319, April.
    2. Barbara Vis & Sjoerd Stolwijk, 2021. "Conducting quantitative studies with the participation of political elites: best practices for designing the study and soliciting the participation of political elites," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 1281-1317, August.
    3. Araceli Mateos & Margarita Corral, 2022. "Partial non-response in political elite studies: an approach to parliamentary elites in Latin America," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 4089-4106, December.
    4. Jonas Tallberg & Soetkin Verhaegen, 2020. "The Legitimacy of International Institutions among Rising and Established Powers," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 11(S3), pages 115-126, October.
    5. Sciara, Gian-Claudia & Waxman, Andrew & Buchanan, Ross, 2024. "State legislator views on funding 21st century Transportation:Important problems, missed connections," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 206-218.
    6. Tom Delreux & Frauke Pipart, 2021. "Ego versus Alter: Internal and External Perceptions of the EU's Role in Global Environmental Negotiations," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(5), pages 1284-1302, September.

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