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When and Why Does Nonresponse Occur? Comparing the Determinants of Initial Unit Nonresponse and Panel Attrition

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  • Tiffany S. Neman

Abstract

Though unit nonresponse threatens data quality in both cross-sectional and panel surveys, little is understood about how initial nonresponse and later panel attrition may be theoretically or empirically distinct phenomena. This study advances current knowledge of the determinants of both unit nonresponse and panel attrition within the context of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) panel survey, which I link with high-quality federal administrative records, paradata, and geographic data. By exploiting the SIPP’s interpenetrated sampling design and relying on cross-classified random effects modeling, this study quantifies the relative effects of sample household, interviewer, and place characteristics on baseline nonresponse and later attrition, addressing a critical gap in the literature. Given the reliance on successful record linkages between survey sample households and federal administrative data in the nonresponse research, this study also undertakes an explicitly spatial analysis of the place-based characteristics associated with successful record linkages in the U.S.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:cen:wpaper:23-44
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    File URL: https://www2.census.gov/library/working-papers/2023/adrm/ces/CES-WP-23-44.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lynn Peter & Kaminska Olena & Goldstein Harvey, 2014. "Panel Attrition: How Important is Interviewer Continuity?," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 30(3), pages 443-457, September.
    2. Marjo Pyy-Martikainen & Ulrich Rendtel, 2008. "Assessing the impact of initial nonresponse and attrition in the analysis of unemployment duration with panel surveys," AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis, Springer;German Statistical Society, vol. 92(3), pages 297-318, August.
    3. Daniel H. Hill & Robert J. Willis, 2001. "Reducing Panel Attrition: A Search for Effective Policy Instruments," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 36(3), pages 416-438.
    4. 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.
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