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Survey Methods Research

Survey Methods Research

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Survey Methods Research

We apply behavioral science methods to the design and evaluation of Census Bureau data collection instruments and information products and conduct methodological research to improve the quality of data from surveys and censuses.

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Working Papers

To communicate and document results from research conducted by staff of the Center for Behavioral Science Methods, we offer a number of research reports on topics in survey methodology.

List of working papers by series.

Page 1 of 16

Working Paper

Time to Complete a Decomposed vs. a Condensed Survey Question

September 2025

Comparison of the timing to complete a condensed versus a decomposed survey question.
Working Paper

Usability Testing a Web Instrument with Group Quarters Administrators

September 2025

This report outlines findings on a usability test of the instrument for group quarters administrators.
Working Paper

Testing Results of the 2023 Census Test Instrument

July 07, 2025

This report details findings from cognitive and usability testing of the online census questionnaire as part of the Small-Scale Response Testing program.
Working Paper

Global Versus Decomposed Questions

June 18, 2025

This study tests a global utilities expense question against two formats of a decomposed utility expense series to examine data quality and respondent burden.
Leveraging Images to Improve School Pulse Panel Data Quality

May 23, 2025

This report presents cognitive testing findings of using images in response options for questions on traffic measures and bike infrastructure.
Working Paper

A Question Template for Non-Methodologists when Redesigning

May 02, 2025

This paper describes a question template used for a large redesign to capture goals in cognitive testing.
Working Paper

Enhancing Web Survey Data Quality While Minimizing Burden

April 24, 2025

This experiment tested three approaches for reporting discrete values for mortgage, rent, utilities, and the down payment for home purchases.
Working Paper

Feasibility of Using an Online Individual Census Questionnaire in 2030

April 22, 2025

A survey was sent to administrators of select group quarters types to help determine which types should be eligible for an internet self-response option.
Working Paper

Targeting At-Risk Households to Reduce the Undercount

April 17, 2025

Detailed agenda for incorporating community-based participatory research and administrative records to target sample for research to reduce the undercount.
Working Paper

Testing a Series of Categorical Earned Income Questions

March 07, 2025
Working Paper

Cognitive Testing for an Internet Self-Response Mode of the CPS

March 07, 2025
Working Paper

Do Shortcut Checkboxes Help or Hurt in Web Surveys?

February 19, 2025

Tested respondents’ receptivity to a checkbox that indicated an “all year” response to a question asking how many paychecks were received during the year.
Working Paper

Cognitive Pretesting of 2025 American Housing Survey Modules

December 20, 2024

Testing of Housing and Urban Development new and revised survey questions on accessory dwelling units, climate risk and insurance.
Working Paper

Cognitive Pretesting of a National Internet Use Survey

December 10, 2024

Findings and recommendations from cognitive testing of a computer and internet use supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS).
Working Paper

Data Collection Quality Improvement (DCQI) at the Census Bureau

November 13, 2024

Explorations of internet self-response and the use of auxiliary information to address high nonresponse and data collection costs in surveys.
Working Paper

A Census Bureau Survey Landing Page Website Metric Summary

October 15, 2024

Evaluation of the Census 2023 test landing page usage, e.g. devices and referral methods used and rates of navigated to the census form.
Working Paper

Feasibility of Using an Online Individual Census Questionnaire in 2030

September 18, 2024

Study of 7 different types of Group Quarters to identify candidates for online data collection from individual residents.
Working Paper

Testing SNAP Client Messaging and Application Forms

September 03, 2024

Testing of SNAP materials communicating program rules and consequences for violation of the rules.
Working Paper

Usability of QR Code as a Method to Access a Survey Using a Smartphone

August 13, 2024

Usability study (effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction) of using QR codes as a method to access an online survey through a smartphone.
Working Paper

OMB Race and Ethnicity Cognitive Testing: Findings and Recommendations

April 24, 2024

Testing of updates including race and ethnicity in a single question and adding "Middle Eastern or North African” as a response category.
Working Paper

Text-To-Web for Measuring User Satisfaction with the Online Census

February 12, 2024

Experiment testing whether time of day the text was sent (12 noon or 6 pm) influenced overall response rate or satisfaction.
Working Paper

Mobile Survey Design Research - Experiment 27: Breadcrumb Trail

January 22, 2024

Usability study comparing navigation designs with and without breadcrumb trail and found no benefit to breadcrumb trail.
Working Paper

Mobile Survey Design Research - Experiment 18: Response Options

January 22, 2024

Usability study compared response option icon size and button size on respondent performance.
Working Paper

Focus Groups on Public Opinion of Administrative Records

December 19, 2023

Assesses public opinion of a national demographic frame that would include person-level demographic, social, and economic characteristics for the U.S.
Working Paper

Cognitive Testing on Public Opinion of Administrative Records

December 19, 2023

Testing of a survey instrument intended to measure public opinion about the use of administrative records by the Census Bureau.
Working Paper

Testing of 2020 ACS Strategic Framework Mail Materials

November 06, 2023

Alternative designs used plain language principles, color, icons, pictures, and novel structure.
Working Paper

Mobile Survey Design Research Experiment: Date Entry Method

October 04, 2023

Usability comparison of three date entry designs: picklist, keyed-entry and hybrid.
Working Paper

Focus Groups with Field Representatives on CATI/CAPI Guidelines

October 04, 2023

Exploring how to maximize usability for the interviewers while collecting accurate data efficiently from the respondents.
Working Paper

Overview of the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Tracking Survey Study

October 04, 2023

Key findings from a survey designed as part of the overall 2020 Census Integrated Communications Campaign (ICC).
Working Paper

Testing the 2023 Census Test Mailing Materials in English and Spanish

September 27, 2023

Early decade test in preparation for the 2030 Decennial Census.
Working Paper

Ask U.S. Panel Pilot, Department of Defense Populations

September 07, 2023

Design and methodology of the Ask U.S. Panel adaptations to include samples of active duty military members in paygrades E1-E4.
Working Paper

Mobile Survey Design Research -Experiment 12: Label Design for Logout

September 06, 2023

This study compared usability between two label designs for a logout button: “Logout” vs. “Save& Logout.”
Working Paper

2021 Initial Mailing Pressure Seal Test

April 2023

This report discusses the results of an experiment testing the use of a pressure seal letter for the first ACS mailing instead of an initial mail package.
Working Paper

Use of Mobile Phone Location Data in Official Statistics

March 07, 2023

Literature review to assess the state of international research in using mobile phone location data for official statistics and civic planning.
Working Paper

Feedback from Field Staff on National Health Interview Survey Material

February 15, 2023

Qualitative study National Health Interview Survey field staff on respondent-facing materials, follow-up letters and proposed incentives.
Working Paper

Ask U.S. Panel Pilot General Population Final Report

January 03, 2023

Pilot of the Ask U.S. Panel to produce representative and reliable statistics on a rapid turnaround for the U.S. Census Bureau and partnering organizations.

All Subtopics Within Research

Dissemination and Access—Innovation and Research

Explore our research and innovations related to effectively disseminating quality data while protecting respondents’ confidentiality.
Economic and Social Research

Learn about our use of confidential microdata on businesses and households to do empirical research in economics, sociology, demography, and related fields.
Research Computing Environments

Explore our leading-edge research in computational environments that use data science methods such as web scraping, AI, machine learning, and record linkage.
Statistical Research

Delve into our research on statistical design, modeling, and analysis methods for data collection, analysis, statistical product development, and dissemination.
Survey Methods Research

Learn about our methodological research to design and evaluate questionnaires, recruitment materials, field rep training, and other aspects of data collection.