Comparing Two Inferential Approaches to Handling Measurement Error in Mixed-Mode Surveys

Buelens Bart () and A. Van den Brakel Jan ()
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Buelens Bart: Statistics Netherlands, PO Box 4481, 6401 CZ Heerlen, The Netherlands.
A. Van den Brakel Jan: Statistics Netherlands and Maastricht University, PO Box 4481, 6401 CZ Heerlen, The Netherlands.

Journal of Official Statistics, 2017, vol. 33, issue 2, 513-531

Abstract: Nowadays sample survey data collection strategies combine web, telephone, face-to-face, or other modes of interviewing in a sequential fashion. Measurement bias of survey estimates of means and totals are composed of different mode-dependent measurement errors as each data collection mode has its own associated measurement error. This article contains an appraisal of two recently proposed methods of inference in this setting. The first is a calibration adjustment to the survey weights so as to balance the survey response to a prespecified distribution of the respondents over the modes. The second is a prediction method that seeks to correct measurements towards a benchmark mode. The two methods are motivated differently but at the same time coincide in some circumstances and agree in terms of required assumptions. The methods are applied to the Labour Force Survey in the Netherlands and are found to provide almost identical estimates of the number of unemployed. Each method has its own specific merits. Both can be applied easily in practice as they do not require additional data collection beyond the regular sequential mixed-mode survey, an attractive element for national statistical institutes and other survey organisations.

Keywords: Generalized regression; mode effects; selection bias; response mode calibration; counterfactuals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:offsta:v:33:y:2017:i:2:p:513-531:n:10

DOI: 10.1515/jos-2017-0024

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