Measuring Response Error

The primary purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the problems associated with response error in surveys and to suggest, by example, a variety of techniques for managing response error within the context of total error.

Measuring Response Error

Solomon Dutka and Lester Frankel

Considerable progress has been made in resolving the statistical problems associated with the design of sample in surveys. More sophisticated sample designs coupled with equally advanced allocation and estimation procedures have served to reduce the statistical sampling error of surveys. However, not nearly as much progress has been achieved in measuring the 'response error' in the data collected, be it from a census or a sample survey with a 100% completion rate, consumer data, or retail sales data. While it is recognized that the raw material of surveys are subject...

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