Improving survey response: lessons learned from the European Social Survey

Nonresponse is a very real problem for anyone conducting surveys in any fieldof research, and this is reflected in the increased interest in studying the area. There is a need to reduce the level of nonresponse in order to increase the validity of the results. However, although it is possible to reduce the amount of nonresponse in a survey, it isnt possible to avoid it completely. Therefore there is also a need for techniques that enable the survey statistician to estimate the level of nonresponse, and adjust for it accordingly in order to improve the results. This book tackles both of these combative measures. In providing such a comprehensive coverage of the topic, all the fundamental issues in the area are discussed; for example, nonresponse bias (and its relationship with nonresponse rates), the various causes of nonresponse, the possible relationships between response rates and survey conditions, and measurement tools to assess the efficiency of fieldwork strategies. The book uses a wealth ofdata taken from the European Social Survey (ESS) and will be accompanied by awebsite hosting the survey data, as well as teaching material for the analysis of nonresponse. The readers understanding will be further enhanced by the use of real life case studies taken from 25 different countries.Ineke Stoop Social and Cultural Planning Office of the Netherlands Head of the Department of Data Services and IT, Dr Stoop has worked in survey research and data quality for almost 30 years. Shes a member of the advisory board for both Eurostat and the ISI. Her main research interest is nonresponse. Jaak Billiet Centre for Sociological Research, K.U. Leuven, Belgium Professor Billiet is head of the Centre of Sociological Research and a member of the central co-ordination team of the European Social Survey. Achim Koch Centre for Survey Research and Methodology, Germany Senior Researcher Achim Koch has been working in this area for 20 years. He was Director of the German General Social Survey between 1995 and 2004. Rory Fitzgerald Centre for Comparative Social Surveys, City University, UK Senior Research Fellow Rory Fitzgerald has had many years experience working in surveying. Before moving to his current post he was Research Director at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) for 5 years.All four authors have published numerous articles in this area.

• ISBN: 978-0-470-51669-0
• Editorial: John Wiley & Sons
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 344
• Fecha Publicación: 26/03/2010
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés