Archive for May, 2008

Effects of Incentives, Advance Letters, and Telephone Follow-up in RDD Recruitment for a Consumer Research Panel

Abstract:

Survey response rates have been declining over the last several decades, particularly for random-digit-dial (RDD) telephone surveys (see de Leeuw, et al., 2002; Steeh, 1981). This trend affects research panels such as the Gallup Panel, which uses RDD methodology to recruit its members. If significant improvements in panel recruitment response rates are to be achieved, new approaches must be considered. This paper presents the findings of an experiment conducted by the Gallup Panel to analyze the individual and combined effects of incentives, advance letters, and follow-up telephone calls on the panel recruitment response rate. Read more

Response Patterns in a Long Question Grid in a Mail Survey Questionnaire

Abstract:

In mail surveys, researchers often face the challenge of too little space in the questionnaire for the number of questions they wish to administer. Oftentimes certain structuring methods are used in order to maximize the data gathering efficiency of a given set of questions. One such method involves using a grid format in which two or more questions with the same response options are grouped together in a ‘grid’ of rows and columns. In this way, the response options are not repeated for every question in the grid, which minimizes not only the use of space in the questionnaire, but also respondent’s burden of comprehending new scale for each question in the grid. Read more

My Cell Phone’s Ringing, Caller Unknown, Now What? Usage Behavior Patterns Among Recent Landline Cord Cutters Who Have Become Cell Phone-Only Users

Abstract:

A growing number of Americans are considering cutting their landline telephone cords in favor of becoming cell phone-only. To date, survey researchers have begun to understand that cell phone-only users tend to be “heavy users” of cell phones compared with those who have both landlines and cell phones. Recent studies on cell phones (either in conjunction with/without a landline phone) have explored behaviors such as types of plans (individual/family), type of usage (sharing,/personal) and frequency of usage (most/some calls, emergency calls). Read more

R U in the Network? Using Provider Internet Resources as Screeners for Working Cell Phone Status

Abstract:

The proliferation of cell phone (CP) usage in the U.S. has forced many survey researchers to include supplementary samples of CP numbers to protect against potential undercoverage errors now encountered with standard landline (LL) sampling designs.   However, even though CP usage continues to rise, the national hit rate from CP number banks (hovering around 60%) is only slightly higher than the LL analog. Even with this moderate hit rate, inefficiencies in CP designs exist, especially for those that screen for cell phone only (CPO) users. Read more

Mode, Measurement, and Mayhem: A Closer Look at Measurement Error in a Mixed Mode Study

Abstract:

The Gallup Panel recruits members randomly using Random Digit Dial (RDD) methodology and assigns members to receive surveys either through the mail or web. Since both of these modes are self-administered, there is no interviewer to motivate respondents to answer carefully. The only communication of the researcher with the respondents is through the instructions, question wording, and design. The Gallup Panel surveys often include many long lists of questions that use the same response options. When respondents answer long batteries of questions such as these, they may be more likely to change their response patterns towards the end of the battery as they become fatigued, resulting in measurement error. Read more

A New Hue of the Cell Phone-Only Landscape: Demographic Characteristics of Landline Cord Cutters New to “Cell Phone-Only”

Abstract:

A growing number of Americans with diverse telephone service histories are considering giving up their household landline phone access and planning to use cell phones exclusively. While previous studies on cell phone-only individuals have documented consistent trends in demographics such as in age (younger), place (urban), residency ownership (rent) and income (lower), little is known about the demographics of those who are cutting the landline telephone cord in favor of cell phone-only status. Read more