Featuring a timely presentation of total survey error (TSE), this edited volume introduces valuable tools for understanding and improving survey data quality in the context of evolving large-scale data sets

This book provides an overview of the TSE framework and current TSE research as related to survey design, data collection, estimation, and analysis. It recognizes that survey data affects many public policy and business decisions and thus focuses on the framework for understanding and improving survey data quality. The book also addresses issues with data quality in official statistics and in social, opinion, and market research as these fields continue to evolve, leading to larger and messier data sets. This perspective challenges survey organizations to find ways to collect and process data more efficiently without sacrificing quality. The volume consists of the most up-to-date research and reporting from over 70 contributors representing the best academics and researchers from a range of fields. The chapters are broken out into five main sections: The Concept of TSE and the TSE Paradigm, Implications for Survey Design, Data Collection and Data Processing Applications, Evaluation and Improvement, and Estimation and Analysis. Each chapter introduces and examines multiple error sources, such as sampling error, measurement error, and nonresponse error, which often offer the greatest risks to data quality, while also encouraging readers not to lose sight of the less commonly studied error sources, such as coverage error, processing error, and specification error. The book also notes the relationships between errors and the ways in which efforts to reduce one type can increase another, resulting in an estimate with larger total error.

This book:

• Features various error sources, and the complex relationships between them, in 25 high-quality chapters on the most up-to-date research in the field of TSE

• Provides comprehensive reviews of the literature on error sources as well as data collection approaches and estimation methods to reduce their effects

• Presents examples of recent international events that demonstrate the effects of data error, the importance of survey data quality, and the real-world issues that arise from these errors

• Spans the four pillars of the total survey error paradigm (design, data collection, evaluation and analysis) to address key data quality issues in official statistics and survey research

Total Survey Error in Practice is a reference for survey researchers and data scientists in research areas that include social science, public opinion, public policy, and business. It can also be used as a textbook or supplementary material for a graduate-level course in survey research methods.

Notes on Contributors xix

Preface xxv

Section 1 The Concept of TSE and the TSE Paradigm 1

1 The Roots and Evolution of the Total Survey Error Concept 3
Lars E. Lyberg and Diana Maria Stukel

1.1 Introduction and Historical Backdrop 3

1.2 Specific Error Sources and Their Control or Evaluation 5

1.3 Survey Models and Total Survey Design 10

1.4 The Advent of More Systematic Approaches Toward Survey Quality 12

1.5 What the Future Will Bring 16

References 18

2 Total Twitter Error: Decomposing Public Opinion Measurement on Twitter from a Total Survey Error Perspective 23
Yuli Patrick Hsieh and Joe Murphy

2.1 Introduction 23

2.2 Social Media: An Evolving Online Public Sphere 25

2.3 Components of Twitter Error 27

2.4 Studying Public Opinion on the Twittersphere and the Potential Error Sources of Twitter Data: Two Case Studies 31

2.5 Discussion 40

2.6 Conclusion 42

References 43

3 Big Data: A Survey Research Perspective 47
Reg Baker

3.1 Introduction 47

3.2 Definitions 48

3.3 The Analytic Challenge: From Database Marketing to Big Data and Data Science 56

3.4 Assessing Data Quality 58

3.5 Applications in Market, Opinion, and Social Research 59

3.6 The Ethics of Research Using Big Data 62

3.7 The Future of Surveys in a Data-Rich Environment 62

References 65

4 The Role of Statistical Disclosure Limitation in Total Survey Error 71
Alan F. Karr

4.1 Introduction 71

4.2 Primer on SDL 72

4.3 TSE-Aware SDL 75

4.4 Edit-Respecting SDL 79

4.5 SDL-Aware TSE 83

4.6 Full Unification of Edit, Imputation, and SDL 84

4.7 “Big Data” Issues 87

4.8 Conclusion 89

Acknowledgments 91

References 92

Section 2 Implications for Survey Design 95

5 The Undercoverage–Nonresponse Tradeoff 97
Stephanie Eckman and Frauke Kreuter

5.1 Introduction 97

5.2 Examples of the Tradeoff 98

5.3 Simple Demonstration of the Tradeoff 99

5.4 Coverage and Response Propensities and Bias 100

5.5 Simulation Study of Rates and Bias 102

5.6 Costs 110

5.7 Lessons for Survey Practice 111

References 112

6 Mixing Modes: Tradeoffs Among Coverage, Nonresponse, and Measurement Error 115
Roger Tourangeau

6.1 Introduction 115

6.2 The Effect of Offering a Choice of Modes 118

6.3 Getting People to Respond Online 119

6.4 Sequencing Different Modes of Data Collection 120

6.5 Separating the Effects of Mode on Selection and Reporting 122

6.6 Maximizing Comparability Versus Minimizing Error 127

6.7 Conclusions 129

References 130

7 Mobile Web Surveys: A Total Survey Error Perspective 133
Mick P. Couper, Christopher Antoun, and Aigul Mavletova

7.1 Introduction 133

7.2 Coverage 135

7.3 Nonresponse 137

7.4 Measurement Error 142

7.5 Links Between Different Error Sources 148

7.6 The Future of Mobile Web Surveys 149

References 150

8 The Effects of a Mid-Data Collection Change in Financial Incentives on Total Survey Error in the National Survey of Family Growth: Results from a Randomized Experiment 155
James Wagner, Brady T. West, Heidi Guyer, Paul Burton, Jennifer Kelley, Mick P. Couper, and William D. Mosher

8.1 Introduction 155

8.2 Literature Review: Incentives in Face-to-Face Surveys 156

8.3 Data and Methods 159

8.4 Results 163

8.5 Conclusion 173

References 175

9 A Total Survey Error Perspective on Surveys in Multinational, Multiregional, and Multicultural Contexts 179
Beth-Ellen Pennell, Kristen Cibelli Hibben, Lars E. Lyberg, Peter Ph. Mohler, and Gelaye Worku

9.1 Introduction 179

9.2 TSE in Multinational, Multiregional, and Multicultural Surveys 180

9.3 Challenges Related to Representation and Measurement Error Components in Comparative Surveys 184

9.4 QA and QC in 3MC Surveys 192

References 196

10 Smartphone Participation in Web Surveys: Choosing Between the Potential for Coverage, Nonresponse, and Measurement Error 203
Gregg Peterson, Jamie Griffin, John LaFrance, and JiaoJiao Li

10.1 Introduction 203

10.2 Prevalence of Smartphone Participation in Web Surveys 206

10.3 Smartphone Participation Choices 209

10.4 Instrument Design Choices 212

10.5 Device and Design Treatment Choices 216

10.6 Conclusion 218

10.7 Future Challenges and Research Needs 219

Appendix 10.A: Data Sources 220

Appendix 10.B: Smartphone Prevalence in Web Surveys 221

Appendix 10.C: Screen Captures from Peterson et al. (2013) Experiment 225

Appendix 10.D: Survey Questions Used in the Analysis of the Peterson et al. (2013) Experiment 229

References 231

11 Survey Research and the Quality of Survey Data Among Ethnic Minorities 235
Joost Kappelhof

11.1 Introduction 235

11.2 On the Use of the Terms Ethnicity and Ethnic Minorities 236

11.3 On the Representation of Ethnic Minorities in Surveys 237 Ethnic Minorities 241

11.4 Measurement Issues 242

11.5 Comparability, Timeliness, and Cost Concerns 244

11.6 Conclusion 247

References 248

Section 3 Data Collection and Data Processing Applications 253

12 Measurement Error in Survey Operations Management: Detection, Quantification, Visualization, and Reduction 255
Brad Edwards, Aaron Maitland, and Sue Connor

12.1 TSE Background on Survey Operations 256

12.2 Better and Better: Using Behavior Coding (CARIcode) and Paradata to Evaluate and Improve Question (Specification) Error and Interviewer Error 257

12.3 Field-Centered Design: Mobile App for Rapid Reporting and Management 261

12.4 Faster and Cheaper: Detecting Falsification With GIS Tools 265

12.5 Putting It All Together: Field Supervisor Dashboards 268

12.6 Discussion 273

References 275

13 Total Survey Error for Longitudinal Surveys 279
Peter Lynn and Peter J. Lugtig

13.1 Introduction 279

13.2 Distinctive Aspects of Longitudinal Surveys 280

13.3 TSE Components in Longitudinal Surveys 281

13.4 Design of Longitudinal Surveys from a TSE Perspective 285

13.5 Examples of Tradeoffs in Three Longitudinal Surveys 290

13.6 Discussion 294

References 295

14 Text Interviews on Mobile Devices 299
Frederick G. Conrad, Michael F. Schober, Christopher Antoun, Andrew L. Hupp, and H. Yanna Yan

14.1 Texting as a Way of Interacting 300

14.2 Contacting and Inviting Potential Respondents through Text 303

14.3 Texting as an Interview Mode 303

14.4 Costs and Efficiency of Text Interviewing 312

14.5 Discussion 314

References 315

15 Quantifying Measurement Errors in Partially Edited Business Survey Data 319
Thomas Laitila, Karin Lindgren, Anders Norberg, and Can Tongur

15.1 Introduction 319

15.2 Selective Editing 320

15.3 Effects of Errors Remaining After SE 325

15.4 Case Study: Foreign Trade in Goods Within the European Union 328

15.5 Editing Big Data 334

15.6 Conclusions 335

References 335

Section 4 Evaluation and Improvement 339

16 Estimating Error Rates in an Administrative Register and Survey Questions Using a Latent Class Model 341
Daniel L. Oberski

16.1 Introduction 341

16.2 Administrative and Survey Measures of Neighborhood 342

16.3 A Latent Class Model for Neighborhood of Residence 345

16.4 Results 348

Appendix 16.A: Program Input and Data 355

Acknowledgments 357

References 357

17 ASPIRE: An Approach for Evaluating and Reducing the Total Error in Statistical Products with Application to Registers and the National Accounts 359
Paul P. Biemer, Dennis Trewin, Heather Bergdahl, and Yingfu Xie

17.1 Introduction and Background 359

17.2 Overview of ASPIRE 360

17.3 The ASPIRE Model 362

17.4 Evaluation of Registers 367

17.5 National Accounts 371

17.6 A Sensitivity Analysis of GDP Error Sources 376

17.7 Concluding Remarks 379

Appendix 17.A: Accuracy Dimension Checklist 381

References 384

18 Classification Error in Crime Victimization Surveys: A Markov Latent Class Analysis 387
Marcus E. Berzofsky and Paul P. Biemer

18.1 Introduction 387

18.2 Background 389

18.3 Analytic Approach 392

18.4 Model Selection 396

18.5 Results 399

18.6 Discussion and Summary of Findings 404

18.7 Conclusions 407

Appendix 18.A: Derivation of the Composite False-Negative Rate 407

Appendix 18.B: Derivation of the Lower Bound for False-Negative Rates from a Composite Measure 408

Appendix 18.C: Examples of Latent GOLD Syntax 408

References 410

19 Using Doorstep Concerns Data to Evaluate and Correct for Nonresponse Error in a Longitudinal Survey 413
Ting Yan

19.1 Introduction 413

19.2 Data and Methods 416

19.3 Results 418

19.4 Discussion 428

Acknowledgment 430

References 430

20 Total Survey Error Assessment for Sociodemographic Subgroups in the 2012 U.S. National Immunization Survey 433
Kirk M. Wolter, Vicki J. Pineau, Benjamin Skalland, Wei Zeng, James A. Singleton, Meena Khare, Zhen Zhao, David Yankey, and Philip J. Smith

20.1 Introduction 433

20.2 TSE Model Framework 434

20.3 Overview of the National Immunization Survey 437

20.4 National Immunization Survey: Inputs for TSE Model 440

20.5 National Immunization Survey TSE Analysis 445

20.6 Summary 452

References 453

21 Establishing Infrastructure for the Use of Big Data to Understand Total Survey Error: Examples from Four Survey Research Organizations Overview 457
Brady T. West

Part 1 Big Data Infrastructure at the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) 458
Antje Kirchner, Daniela Hochfellner, Stefan Bender

Acknowledgments 464

References 464

Part 2 Using Administrative Records Data at the U.S. Census Bureau: Lessons Learned from Two Research Projects Evaluating Survey Data 467
Elizabeth M. Nichols, Mary H. Mulry, and Jennifer Hunter Childs

Acknowledgments and Disclaimers 472

References 472

Part 3 Statistics New Zealand’s Approach to Making Use of Alternative Data Sources in a New Era of Integrated Data 474
Anders Holmberg and Christine Bycroft

References 478

Part 4 Big Data Serving Survey Research: Experiences at the University of Michigan Survey Research Center 478
Grant Benson and Frost Hubbard

Acknowledgments and Disclaimers 484

References 484

Section 5 Estimation and Analysis 487

22 Analytic Error as an Important Component of Total Survey Error: Results from a Meta-Analysis 489
Brady T. West, Joseph W. Sakshaug, and Yumi Kim

22.1 Overview 489

22.2 Analytic Error as a Component of TSE 490

22.3 Appropriate Analytic Methods for Survey Data 492

22.4 Methods 495

22.5 Results 497

22.6 Discussion 505

Acknowledgments 508

References 508

23 Mixed-Mode Research: Issues in Design and Analysis 511
Joop Hox, Edith de Leeuw, and Thomas Klausch

23.1 Introduction 511

23.2 Designing Mixed-Mode Surveys 512

23.3 Literature Overview 514

23.4 Diagnosing Sources of Error in Mixed-Mode Surveys 516

23.5 Adjusting for Mode Measurement Effects 523

23.6 Conclusion 527

References 528

24 The Effect of Nonresponse and Measurement Error on Wage Regression across Survey Modes: A Validation Study 531
Antje Kirchner and Barbara Felderer

24.1 Introduction 531

24.2 Nonresponse and Response Bias in Survey Statistics 532

24.3 Data and Methods 534

24.4 Results 541

24.5 Summary and Conclusion 546

Acknowledgments 547

Appendix 24.A 548

Appendix 24.B 549

References 554

25 Errors in Linking Survey and Administrative Data 557
Joseph W. Sakshaug and Manfred Antoni

25.1 Introduction 557

25.2 Conceptual Framework of Linkage and Error Sources 559

25.3 Errors Due to Linkage Consent 561

25.4 Erroneous Linkage with Unique Identifiers 565

25.5 Erroneous Linkage with Nonunique Identifiers 567

25.6 Applications and Practical Guidance 568

25.7 Conclusions and Take-Home Points 571

References 571

Index 575