Understanding mode switching and non-response patterns
The shift from single mode designs to mixed mode, where a combination of interview modes are used to collect data, is one of the key challenges of contemporary longitudinal studies. The decision about what modes to use and how to implement them can have a big impact, influencing costs, field-work procedures, non-response and measurement error. This fellowship aimed to better understand one of the key characteristics of a mixed mode design: how people transition from one mode to another in time. This is essential for a number of reasons. Firstly, it can inform targeting strategies. For example, it can be used to target those people that are more likely to shift from a cheap mode to a more expensive one. It can also be used in models for dealing with non-response after data collection, such as weighting models. Thirdly, it can be used to explain measurement error that appears due to the mode design. This research investigated the process of changing modes by looking at Waves 5-10 of the UKHLS Innovation Panel. Latent class analysis was used to find the underlying patterns of change in time of modes. The clusters found were used both as dependent variables, to understand who are the types of respondents in each, and as independent variables, to predict future wave non-response and mode selection. Findings helped to inform the design and use of the main UKHLS study.
Outputs
Book chapter
- Cernat, A. & Sakshaug, J. Estimating the measurement effects of mixed modes in longitudinal studies. Current practice and issues. In Lynn, P., et al. (Ed.), Advances in Longitudinal Survey Methodology, Wiley-Blackwell, in press.
Papers
- Cernat, A. and Sakshaug, J. Understanding the patterns of mode switching in longitudinal studies. Survey Research Methods (in press).
Conference presentations
- Understanding Society conference – Colchester (2 – 3 June): Understanding the patterns of modes switch in longitudinal studies
- ESRA conference – Zagreb (15 – 19 Jul 2019): Understanding mode switching and non-response patterns
- General Online Research Conference – Cologne (07 Mar. 2019): Understanding mode switching and non-response pattern.
