Survey Methodology
Is undesirable answer behaviour consistent across surveys? An investigation into respondent characteristics

by Frank Bais, Barry Schouten and Vera ToepoelNote 1

  • Release date: June 21, 2022
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Abstract

In this study, we investigate to what extent the respondent characteristics age and educational level may be associated with undesirable answer behaviour (UAB) consistently across surveys. We use data from panel respondents who participated in ten general population surveys of CentERdata and Statistics Netherlands. A new method to visually present UAB and an inventive adaptation of a non-parametric effect size measure are used. The occurrence of UAB of respondents with specific characteristics is summarized in density distributions that we refer to as respondent profiles. An adaptation of the robust effect size Cliff’s Delta is used to compare respondent profiles on the potentially consistent occurrence of UAB across surveys. Taking all surveys together, the degree of UAB varies by age and education. The results do not show consistent UAB across individual surveys: Age and educational level are associated with a relatively higher occurrence of UAB for some surveys, but a relatively lower occurrence for other surveys. We conclude that the occurrence of UAB across surveys may be more dependent on the survey and its items than on respondent’s cognitive ability.

Key Words: Respondent profiles; Answer behaviour consistency; Adapted Cliff’s Delta; Measurement error; Cognitive ability; Satisficing.

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How to cite

Bais, F., Schouten, B. and Toepoel, V. (2022). Is undesirable answer behaviour consistent across surveys? An investigation into respondent characteristics. Survey Methodology, Statistics Canada, Catalogue No. 12-001-X, Vol. 48, No. 1. Paper available at http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/12-001-x/2022001/article/00001-eng.htm.

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ISSN : 1492-0921

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Survey Methodology publishes articles dealing with various aspects of statistical development relevant to a statistical agency, such as design issues in the context of practical constraints, use of different data sources and collection techniques, total survey error, survey evaluation, research in survey methodology, time series analysis, seasonal adjustment, demographic studies, data integration, estimation and data analysis methods, and general survey systems development. The emphasis is placed on the development and evaluation of specific methodologies as applied to data collection or the data themselves. All papers will be refereed. However, the authors retain full responsibility for the contents of their papers and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board or of Statistics Canada.

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2022

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue No. 12-001-X

Frequency: Semi-annual

Ottawa

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Table of contents

Abstract - Article main page
Section 1. Introduction
Section 2. Theoretical framework
Section 3. Method
Section 4. Results
Section 5. Conclusion and discussion
Acknowledgements
Appendix A
References

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