ERIC Number: EJ1367250
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1364-5579
EISSN: EISSN-1464-5300
Assessing the Effect of Questionnaire Design on Unit and Item-Nonresponse: Evidence from an Online Experiment
Kmetty, Zoltán; Stefkovics, Ádám
International Journal of Social Research Methodology, v25 n5 p659-672 2022
Questionnaire design choices, such as handling 'do not know' answers or using check all that apply questions may impact the level of item- and unit nonresponse. We used experimental data from an online panel and the questions of ESS to examine how applying forced answering, offering DK/NA options and specific question formats (CATA vs. forced choice format) impact the level of nonresponse and how respondent characteristics correlate with these effects. The results suggest that neither forcing respondents nor offering an explicit NR option is advisable, as these options strongly increase nonresponse. Rather a skipping-allowed design is a more reasonable choice. Those who were interested in the topic of the survey were far less sensitive to NR handling. Developing adaptive questionnaire designs based on topic interest can be a promising direction for future research.
Descriptors: Item Response Theory, Test Format, Response Rates (Questionnaires), Questionnaires, Online Surveys, Test Construction, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Europe
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A