Comparing Telephone and Face-to-Face Surveys on Parents' Education
Author Information
Author(s): Catherine R Chittleborough, Anne W Taylor, Fran E Baum, Janet E Hiller
Primary Institution: University of Adelaide
Hypothesis
Does the mode of survey (telephone vs. face-to-face) influence the recall of parents' highest level of education?
Conclusion
Face-to-face interviews yield higher response rates for questions about parents' education compared to telephone interviews.
Supporting Evidence
- Face-to-face interviews had a significantly higher response rate for parents' education questions.
- Missing data for parents' education was more common among socioeconomically disadvantaged respondents.
- The study highlights the importance of survey mode in collecting retrospective data.
Takeaway
When asking people about their parents' education, talking to them in person gets more answers than calling them on the phone.
Methodology
The study compared responses from two surveys: a telephone survey with 2999 participants and a face-to-face survey with 2893 participants.
Potential Biases
Respondents who were socioeconomically disadvantaged were less likely to report their parents' education.
Limitations
The study only examined parents' education as indicators of early life socioeconomic position, which may not capture the full picture.
Participant Demographics
Participants were South Australians aged 18 and over, with a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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