An Offer They Can’t Refuse? Evaluating Engagement Techniques Among Chronic Non-Responders in Probability Panels
Submission ID: 5791

Date: Thursday, 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM 
Session: Session F: T3:45 - 5:15 PM

Primary Presenter

Kyle Berta, SSRS

Additional Authors or Round Table Presenters

Chintan Turakhia, SSRS ,

Jennifer Schmidt, SSRS ,

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Abstract

Respondent engagement and retention are critical in preserving high data quality for probability-based panels and longitudinal studies.

In probability-base web panels, panelists can be broadly divided into three categories: some panelists are highly engaged and respond to survey invitations frequently, some  are less engaged and respond to survey invitations infrequently and then there are some who go through panel registration only to never respond to any survey invitations (chronic non-responders). Who are these chronic non-responders? Are they a lost cause or is there a way to entice them back into the panel by reaching them via a different mode and an added financial incentive?

In this methodological brief we explore the demographic composition of these chronic non-responders. We test whether reaching these chronic non-responders via a different mode and offering significantly higher incentives is enough entice them to participate in their first panel survey. Furthermore, for panelists that do participate in the first survey, we track their survey participation over time.  For this experiment, we utilize the probability based SSRS Opinion Panel and test engagement outreach to panelists via mail, email, and text messaging.

Respondent engagement and retention are critical in preserving high data quality for probability-based panels and longitudinal studies.

In probability-base web panels, panelists can be broadly divided into three categories: some panelists are highly engaged and respond to survey invitations frequently, some  are less engaged and respond to survey invitations infrequently and then there are some who go through panel registration only to never respond to any survey invitations (chronic non-responders). Who are these chronic non-responders? Are they a lost cause or is there a way to entice them back into the panel by reaching them via a different mode and an added financial incentive?

In this methodological brief we explore the demographic composition of these chronic non-responders. We test whether reaching these chronic non-responders via a different mode and offering significantly higher incentives is enough entice them to participate in their first panel survey. Furthermore, for panelists that do participate in the first survey, we track their survey participation over time.  For this experiment, we utilize the probability based SSRS Opinion Panel and test engagement outreach to panelists via mail, email, and text messaging.