Three different modes of data collection were used in IP Wave 12, face-to-face with a nurse, face-to-face with an interviewer and self-completed online. A number of biomarkers were collected throughout the survey, which biomarker and how it was collected was determined by the mode of completion.
The goal of this IP wave was to compare interviewer and participant data collection to a standard of nurse collected biomarkers. Both interviewer- and nurse-led data collections included measurements of blood pressure, height and weight. Nurse-led interviews included an additional collection of full blood, dried blood spots and a hair sample. Interviewer-led and web respondents were given a kit containing materials to enable dried blood spots and hair samples to be taken independently and returned at a later time. All participants were asked to collect a blood pressure measurement prior to completion of visit or web data collection, incorporating an experiment to examine prosocial vs informational content on response and quality of measurement.
In order to maximise learning for the future, during the main interview and in a subsequent followup survey, we asked participants about their reasons for refusing particular measures, and whether they would be willing to provide samples in a similar way again.
Find out more about Wave 12 of the Innovation Panel in this video:
IP Wave 12 experiments
A number of experiments were completed as part of this wave:
- Invitation to complete pre-interview blood pressure measure: information treatment vs pro-social appeal. This experiment included sending a different advance letter to three random groups: one-third of the sample were provided information on their nearest pharmacy to enable blood pressure measurement, one-third an altruistic/pro-social appeal text to encourage participantsto get their blood pressure measured; the remaining sample –the control group, did not receive any encouragement.
- Collecting of mobile phone numbers. Mobile phone numbers are collected at the end of the interview at each wave. Given the potential importance of contacting respondents on their mobile phone in upcoming waves, this experiment explored alternative designs to better ensure mobile numbers are collected. In the control group, participants were asked the questions as per previous waves. The alternative condition asked respondents specifically about mobile phone numbers after which, they were asked for all of the remaining contact details normally asked, similar to the normal design.
- Reporting of height and weight. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index, a measure of adiposity. The aim of this experiment wasto compare self-report with measured data, and more specifically if participants are asked to report their height and weight in the main interview versus self-completion section affect the accuracy of individuals’ responses.
- Hair and blood sample analytes. Hair samples were collected from children and adults. Dried blood spot samples were taken from adults only.
IP Waves 1-12 are available to download from the UK Data Service.
Biomarkers, genetics and epigeneticsHealth and wellbeingSurvey methodology
