Current Population Survey Design and Methodology - Census Bureau

ate, which was 7.70 percent in July 2004 5 . For item nonresponse,
a few of the average allocation rates in July
2004, by topical module were: 0.52 percent for household,
1.99 percent for demographic, 2.35 percent for
labor force, 9.98 percent for industry and occupation, and
18.46 percent for earnings. (See Chapter 16 for discussion
of various quality indicators of nonresponse error.)
CONTROLLING NONRESPONSE ERROR
Field Representative Guidelines 6
Response/nonresponse rate guidelines have been developed
for FRs to help ensure the quality of the data collected.
Maintaining high response rates is of primary
importance, and response/nonresponse guidelines have
been developed with this in mind. These guidelines, when
used in conjunction with other sources of information, are
intended to assist supervisors in identifying FRs needing
performance improvement. An FR whose response rate,
household noninterview rate (Type A), or minutes-per-case
falls below the fully acceptable range based on one quarter’s
work is considered in need of additional training and
development. The CPS supervisor then takes appropriate
remedial action. National and regional response performance
data are also provided to permit the RO staff to
judge whether their activities are in need of additional
attention.
Summary Reports
Another way to monitor and control nonresponse error is
the production and review of summary reports. Produced
by headquarters after the release of the monthly data
products, they are used to detect changes in historical
response patterns. Since they are distributed throughout
headquarters and the ROs, other indications of data quality
and consistency can be focused upon. The contents of
some of the summary report tables are: noninterview rates
by RO for both the basic CPS and its supplements,
monthly comparisons to prior year, noninterview-tointerview
conversion rates, resolution status of computerassisted
telephone interview cases, interview status by
month-in-sample, daily transmittals, percent of personalvisit
cases actually conducted in person, allocation rates
by topical module, and coverage ratios.
Headquarters and Regional Offices Working as a
Team
As detailed in a Methods and Performance Evaluation
Memorandum (Reeder, 1997), the Census Bureau and the
Bureau of Labor Statistics formed an interagency work
group to examine CPS nonresponse in detail. One goal
5
In April 2004, CPS started phasing in the new 2000-based
sample.
6
See Appendix D for a detailed discussion, especially in terms
of the performance evaluation system.
Current Population Survey TP66
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau
was to share possible reasons and solutions for the declining
CPS response rates. A list of 31 questions was prepared
to help the ROs understand CPS field operations, to
solicit and share the ROs’ views on the causes of the
increasing nonresponse rates, and to evaluate methods to
decrease these rates. All of the answers provide insight
into the CPS operations that may affect nonresponse and
follow-up procedures for household noninterviews. A few
are:
1. The majority of ROs responded that there is written
documentation of the follow-up process for CPS
household noninterviews.
2. The standard process is that an FR must let the RO
know about a possible household noninterview as
soon as possible.
3. Most regions attempt to convert confirmed refusals to
interviews under certain circumstances.
4. All regions provide monthly feedback to their FRs on
their household noninterview rates.
5. About half of the regions responded that they provide
specific region-based training/activities for FRs on
converting or avoiding household noninterviews.
Much research has been distributed regarding whether
and how to convince someone who refused to be
interviewed to change their mind.
Most offices use letters in a consistent manner to
follow-up with noninterviews. Most ROs also include informational
brochures about the survey with the letters, and
they are tailored to the respondent.
SOURCES OF RESPONSE ERROR
The survey interviewer asks a question and collects a
response from the respondent. Response error exists if the
response is not the true answer. Reasons for response
error can include:
1. The respondent misinterprets the question, does not
know the true answer and guesses (e.g., recall
effects), exaggerates, has a tendency to give an
answer that appears more ‘socially desireable,’ or
chooses a response randomly.
2. The interviewer reads the question incorrectly, does
not follow the appropriate skip pattern, misunderstands
or misapplies the questionnaire, or records the
wrong answer.
3. A proxy responder (i.e., a person who answers on
someone else’s behalf) provides an incorrect response.
4. The data collection modes (e.g., personal visit and
telephone) elicit different responses.
Sources and Controls on Nonsampling Error 15–5