Nonresponse Bias in Surveys - Paradoxes and Challenges

Explore the complexities of nonresponse bias in surveys through a thought-provoking lecture by Roger Tourangeau from Westat. Delve into three key paradoxes: the weak relationship between nonresponse rates and bias, the limitations of survey-level quality measures, and the challenges of implementing adaptive designs to improve data quality. Examine various theories explaining the disconnect between nonresponse rates and bias, and critically evaluate proposed alternatives for assessing nonresponse bias risk. Investigate the findings of influential meta-analyses and their implications for survey methodology. Analyze empirical efforts and simulation studies aimed at evaluating responsive and adaptive survey designs, and understand why anticipated improvements in survey quality often fall short of expectations.