1 ESTIMATION OF RESPONSE BIAS IN THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL SURVEY: USING INFORMATION FROM RELUCTANT RESPONDENTS IN ROUND ONE

Abstract: Central to the methodological quality of the first round of the European Social Survey (ESS) was the principal of equivalence in cross national measurement. The survey was therefore designed with equivalence as its driving force and included features such as the requirement for random probability samples, effective sample sizes, clear specifications for fieldwork institutes, clear rules for interviewers about the mode, number and timing of contact attempts with all sample units and the documentation of all contact attempts using standardised forms. The use of standardised, detailed contact forms has enabled equivalent cross-national comparisons of non-response as well as providing some indication of the potential bias in survey estimates. Most but not all of the participating countries in Round 1 successfully collected the information required. The main functions of the contact forms were to document, across several different but functionally equivalent sample designs, each attempt to contact the sample units. In addition, the forms provided information about the reasons of non-contacts and refusals, allowed the construction of comparable non-response rates across countries, provided information about fully co-operative and reluctant respondents and als