Taking No for an Answer: Examining Refusal Rates for Survey Participation

• In Event: Design Challenges in Quantitative Research

Abstract

The quality of any research endeavor is limited by the quality of the data collected in the course of the research. Considering the effort and resources utilized to identify populations, select samples and approach subjects, we need to understand why subjects choose to opt out of ongoing research. The current study examines these patterns of non-response by utilizing two waves of an ongoing research study in Baltimore City, Maryland. In 2013 the Baltimore City Longitudinal Hot Spots Study began a longitudinal study of residents living on streets characterized by high incidents of calls for police service. Numerous efforts were made to complete face-to-face surveys, with a goal of completing three waves of data collection with the same residents over a five year period. While non-response or refusals were anticipated, results from Wave 1 of the data collection demonstrated significant differences in response rates across control and various hot spot defined areas. This analysis examines the between wave and across hot spot type variation in continued participation in the study from Wave 1 to Wave 2. Analyses examine both individual participation variation as well as between hot spot wave variation to explain the lack of continued participation in the on-going study.

Authors

• Brian Lawton, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY

• David Weisburd, Hebrew University and George Mason University

• Clair White, George Mason University