Survey Response Rates: Some Trends, Causes and Correlates,

The author discusses the problem that, if in-person interview response rates are not affected importantly by current social changes, how are the lower rates determined. It appears that seasonality and interview length dont have the uniformly strong, negative effects that some suspect. Hypothesized positive forces such as Census Bureau auspices, using advance letters, and offering payment arent as powerful as one might hope. Callback strategies can account for a meaningful amount of variance and respondent rules have some effect on rates and on costs.