Valid predictions for the direction of nonresponse bias were obtained from subjective estimates and extrapolations in an analysis of mail survey data from published studies For estimates of the magnitude of bias, the use of extrapolations led to substantial improvements over a strategy of not using extrapolations

/pdf/estimating-nonresponse-bias-in-mail-surveys-5g9kpafflr.pdf

Estimating Nonresponse Bias in Mail Surveys

Valid predictions for the direction of nonresponse bias were obtained from subjective estimates and extrapolations in an analysis of mail survey data from published studies. For estimates of the magnitude of bias, the use of extrapolations led to substantial improvements over a strategy of not using extrapolations.

According to W. Edwards Deming, American companies require nothing less than a transformation of management style and of governmental relations with industry. In Out of the Crisis, originally published in 1982, Deming offers a theory of management based on his famous 14 Points for Management. Management's failure to plan for the future, he claims, brings about loss of market, which brings about loss of jobs. Management must be judged not only by the quarterly dividend, but by innovative plans to stay in business, protect investment, ensure future dividends, and provide more jobs through improved product and service. In simple, direct language, he explains the principles of management transformation and how to apply them.

Out of the Crisis

1. Introduction and Overview. 2. Detecting Influential Observations and Outliers. 3. Detecting and Assessing Collinearity. 4. Applications and Remedies. 5. Research Issues and Directions for Extensions. Bibliography. Author Index. Subject Index.

Regression Diagnostics: Identifying Influential Data and Sources of Collinearity

Although the methodological literature is replete with advice regarding the development and validation of multi-item scales based on reflective measures, the issue of index construction using formative measures has received little attention. The authors seek to address this gap by (1) examining the nature of formative indicators, (2) discussing ways in which the quality of formative measures can be assessed, and (3) illustrating the proposed procedures with empirical data. The aim is to enhance researchers’ understanding of formative measures and assist them in their index construction efforts.

https://statmath.wu.ac.at/courses/r-se-mbr/dl/M1b_Diamantopoulos_2001.pdf

Index Construction with Formative Indicators: An Alternative to Scale Development

Statistically designed sample surveys have enabled pollsters to gauge public opinion on a wide range of issues In such surveys, selection of a data collection technique is generally based on four criteria: (1) cost; (2) completion time; (3) response rate; and (4) response bias Typically, more weight is placed on the first three factors and, as a result, adequate attention has not been given to the latter consideration The study described in this paper looks at one type of response bias-that which results from the use of a specific data collection method More specifically, this research uses a controlled experimental design in order to determine whether responses given in a public opinion polling are influenced by the method used to collect the data Three methods are investigated: (1) mail questionnaire; (2) telephone interview; and (3) personal interview

Methodological bias in public opinion surveys

The lack of a standard definition of response rates in surveys has resulted in problems in the marketing research community, including ambiguity in pricing and evaluating research proposals and in ...

Comment on a Standard Definition of Response Rates

Researchers have investigated the effectiveness of a wide range of variables in their attempts to increase the response rates for mail questionnaire surveys. Among these variables are: monetary incentives (both large and small), advance letters, stamped vs. business reply envelopes, timing of follow-up mailings, printed vs. mimeographed questionnaire forms, and personal vs. nonpersonal wordings of cover letters [1, 2, 4-10]. In such investigations, a controlled experimental design is typically used to determine the effect of the one variable under study. Little attention has been given to a second important consideration-determining whether significant interaction effects exist among two or more factors applied simultaneously to increase the response rate. This latter area can be important since, for example, individual factors which improve response rates may in combination with other factors actually reduce the response. This study employs a 24 (four factors each at two levels) factorial design to identify the relationships existing among four variables previously used to increase the response rates in mail questionnaire surveys.

Factor Interaction Effects in Mail Survey Response Rates

This paper examines the relationship between team payroll and team performance in major league baseball from 1985 to 2002. The results indicate that the relationship has changed over time. Unlike the early years, there is now a much clearer relationship between payroll and performance. Specifically, in the latter part of the 1990s and continuing into the 21st century, the greater the team payroll and the more equally this payroll is distributed among team members, the better the on-field performance of the team. This is a problem of particular concern because of the growing disparity in team payrolls which, in turn, affects the competitive balance of the sport. This growing disparity was also at the heart of last year's contract negotiations between players and owners.

/pdf/team-payroll-and-team-performance-in-major-league-baseball-ynedphj06v.pdf

Team payroll and team performance in major league baseball: 1985-2002

Researchers have investigated the relationship between different shot-making measures and performance on the PGA Tour. Prior studies have typically focused on a short period of time or used a restricted sample so long-term trends were not discernible. To remedy this situation, the present study looked at the longitudinal performance of professional golfers from 1990-2004. The findings indicated a remarkable stability in terms of the relative importance of Greens In Regulation and Putting Average in explaining the variability in Scoring Average. The findings also indicated a declining importance of driving in recent years due, in part, to a strengthening of the negative relationship between Driving Distance and Driving Accuracy.

Frederick Wiseman

Papers

Methodological bias in public opinion surveys

Comment on a Standard Definition of Response Rates

Factor Interaction Effects in Mail Survey Response Rates

Team payroll and team performance in major league baseball: 1985-2002

Comprehensive Analysis of Golf Performance on the Pga Tour: 1990–2004