Multilevel modelling of refusal and non-contact in household surveys: evidence from six UK Government surveys

We analyse household unit non-response in six major UK Government surveys by using a multilevel multinomial modelling approach. The models are guided by current conceptual frameworks and theories of survey participation. One key feature of the analysis is the investigation of the extent to which effects of household characteristics are survey specific. The analysis is based on the 2001 UK Census Link Study, which is a unique source of data containing an unusually rich set of auxiliary variables. The study contains the response outcome of six surveys, linked to census data and interviewer observations for both respondents and non-respondents

Ozone Reduction Survey Results: The Spring 98 Report

The Ozone reduction survey measures ground level ozone knowledge

Ozone Reduction Survey Results: The Spring 97 Report Part 2

Abstract pending

Ozone Reduction Survey Results: The Fall 97 Ozone Report

The Annual Ozone Reduction telephone survey measures ground level ozone knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors and is given to Atlanta residents living and working in the 13 county ozone non-attainment area. The survey was conducted by the Applied Research Center at Georgia State University. Residents were randomly selected and interviewed from October 1st -- November 7th, 1997. Interviewing was conducted on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Weekend interviewing was conducted Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Each number was contacted a minimum of 7 times, or until a final disposition was reached. The actual results collected were weighted using the most recent U.S. Census data on the state of Georgia.The results of the Survey are likely to contain some error. Ninety-five percent of the time, error due to the random selection process will be no more than 3.5 percentage points plus or minus the reported percentage for all Georgians. Error for subgroups is likely to be slightly larger. Other sources of error are caused by individuals refusing to participate in the interview and inability to connect with the selected telephone number. For the Fall 1997 survey, 1275 surveys were completed, a response rate of 66%. Every feasible effort is made to obtain a response and reduce the error, but the reader should be aware that some error is inherent in all research.Approximately 74% of respondents were white and 23% African American, 55% were female and 45% male. The mean age was 41 and, on average, respondents had completed some college course work. The median family income was $50,000-$75,000 and 66% of those surveyed owned their residence

Ozone Reduction Survey Results: The Spring & Summer 98 Report

Results of the questions about the salience of issues and attitudes toward improving air quality

Ozone Reduction Survey Results: The Spring & Summer 98 Executive Summary

Questions about the salience of issues and attitudes toward improving air quality

Methodological issues associated with collecting sensitive information over the telephone - experience from an Australian non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) prevalence study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Collecting population data on sensitive issues such as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is problematic. Case note audits or hospital/clinic based presentations only record severe cases and do not distinguish between suicidal and non-suicidal intent. Community surveys have largely been limited to school and university students, resulting in little much needed population-based data on NSSI. Collecting these data via a large scale population survey presents challenges to survey methodologists. This paper addresses the methodological issues associated with collecting this type of data via CATI.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An Australia-wide population survey was funded by the Australian Government to determine prevalence estimates of NSSI and associations, predictors, relationships to suicide attempts and suicide ideation, and outcomes. Computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) on a random sample of the Australian population aged 10+ years of age from randomly selected households, was undertaken.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, from 31,216 eligible households, 12,006 interviews were undertaken (response rate 38.5%). The 4-week prevalence of NSSI was 1.1% (95% ci 0.9-1.3%) and lifetime prevalence was 8.1% (95% ci 7.6-8.6).</p> <p>Methodological concerns and challenges in regard to collection of these data included extensive interviewer training and post interview counselling. Ethical considerations, especially with children as young as 10 years of age being asked sensitive questions, were addressed prior to data collection. The solution required a large amount of information to be sent to each selected household prior to the telephone interview which contributed to a lower than expected response rate. Non-coverage error caused by the population of interest being highly mobile, homeless or institutionalised was also a suspected issue in this low prevalence condition. In many circumstances the numbers missing from the sampling frame are small enough to not cause worry, especially when compared with the population as a whole, but within the population of interest to us, we believe that the most likely direction of bias is towards an underestimation of our prevalence estimates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Collecting valid and reliable data is a paramount concern of health researchers and survey research methodologists. The challenge is to design cost-effective studies especially those associated with low-prevalence issues, and to balance time and convenience against validity, reliability, sampling, coverage, non-response and measurement error issues.</p

Climate change and climate variability: personal motivation for adaptation and mitigation

BACKGROUND: Global climate change impacts on human and natural systems are predicted to be severe, far reaching, and to affect the most physically and economically vulnerable disproportionately. Society can respond to these threats through two strategies: mitigation and adaptation. Industry, commerce, and government play indispensable roles in these actions but so do individuals, if they are receptive to behavior change. We explored whether the health frame can be used as a context to motivate behavioral reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation measures. METHODS: In 2008, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in the United States using random digit dialing. Personal relevance of climate change from health threats was explored with the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a conceptual frame and analyzed through logistic regressions and path analysis. RESULTS: Of 771 individuals surveyed, 81% (n = 622) acknowledged that climate change was occurring, and were aware of the associated ecologic and human health risks. Respondents reported reduced energy consumption if they believed climate change could affect their way of life (perceived susceptibility), Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.4 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.4-4.0), endanger their life (perceived severity), OR = 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1-3.1), or saw serious barriers to protecting themselves from climate change, OR = 2.1 (95% CI: 1.2-3.5). Perceived susceptibility had the strongest effect on reduced energy consumption, either directly or indirectly via perceived severity. Those that reported having the necessary information to prepare for climate change impacts were more likely to have an emergency kit OR = 2.1 (95% CI: 1.4-3.1) or plan, OR = 2.2 (95% CI: 1.5-3.2) for their household, but also saw serious barriers to protecting themselves from climate change or climate variability, either by having an emergency kit OR = 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.4) or an emergency plan OR = 1.5 (95%CI: 1.0-2.2). CONCLUSIONS: Motivation for voluntary mitigation is mostly dependent on perceived susceptibility to threats and severity of climate change or climate variability impacts, whereas adaptation is largely dependent on the availability of information relevant to climate change. Thus, the climate change discourse could be framed from a health perspective to motivate behaviour change