The Hunt for the Last Respondent Nonresponse in Sample Surveys

"Survey researchers in the Netherlands seem to have resigned themselves to low response rates in random sample surveys, despite the fact that the response rate is generally seen as the main indicator of survey quality. This study demonstrates that high response rates are feasible in the Netherlands and describes how these have been attained. Rather than focusing on the rate of response, the aim of this study is to show when nonresponse can cause bias, and to investigate the causes of and the reasons behind nonresponse. It presents the dangers of focusing on socio-demographic and socio-economic background characteristics and ignoring the reasons why these may be correlated with response behaviour, and also discusses the importance of distinguishing between noncontact and noncooperation."--BOOK JACKET.