Paradata in Survey Research

Macro and Micro Paradata for Survey Assessment

At present we typically assess quality by relying heavily on summary process measures or macro paradata that is a by-product of sample selection and survey administration (e.g., item and unit nonresponse rates, response variances, sampling and coverage errors). These measures are an outgrowth of the randomization-based approach to survey sampling that triumphed in government agencies around the...

Paradata for Nonresponse Adjustment

Survey researchers and practitioners use nonresponse adjustment weights to mitigate the effects of survey nonresponse on sample estimates. One challenge in creating these weights is finding useful auxiliary data that predict both the probability of participating in the survey and the survey variables of interest. This article reviews the use of paradata for nonresponse adjustment. Five differen...

Collecting Paradata for Measurement Error Evaluations

Using Paradata to Understand Panel Effects in the Current Population Survey

This study examines reluctance to respond to the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS is administered to a household for four consecutive months, followed by a break of eight months, and then administered for another four consecutive months. These eight interviews (panels) form the basis of this analysis. The respondents concerns and contact issues during the first panel were summarized usi...

Paradata for Nonresponse Error Investigation