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The use of paradata in UK social surveys

 

There is growing awareness among producers and users of survey data of the potential benefits of using paradata (process data) to tackle some of the challenges that researchers are currently facing such as declining response rates, increasing risk of non-response bias, and spiralling costs of survey data collection. However, there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed before the available paradata can be exploited for these and other purposes.
This network aimed  to:

  • promote the opportunities and benefits of using paradata for survey design, survey management, survey evaluation and methodological research;
  • identify the potential for improving the cost-efficiency and quality of survey data collection in the UK using paradata;
  • stimulate debate about the challenges of using survey paradata in the UK;
  • encourage UK-based research using survey paradata.

 

The following events have now taken place (24-26 August 2009):

  • A one-day seminar to promote the opportunities of using paradata for survey design, survey management, survey evaluation and methodological research. 
  • A one-day seminar focused on the current state of research in this field.
  • An expert workshop to promote discussion and encourage methodological research in the UK.

 

The presentations from the seminar and a report of the workshop are available to view on the project website. 

 

Outputs from the project:

 

For further information please contact:


Ms Gerry Nicolaas
National Centre for Social Research
35 Northampton Square
London EC1V 0AX
Telephone: 020 7549 7067
Email: G.Nicolaas@natcen.ac.uk