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Cognitive Testing for an Internet Self-Response Mode of the Current Population Survey: Findings and Recommendations
Cognitive Testing for an Internet Self-Response Mode of the Current Population Survey: Findings and Recommendations
Working Paper Number: rsm2025-03
Abstract
A modernization effort is underway for the Current Population Survey (CPS), which is the premiere source of labor force statistics for the U.S. population. Currently, the CPS collects data via interviewers. However, declining response rates and rising data collection costs have motivated the development and addition of an internet self-response mode for the CPS. Interviewers play an important role in ensuring the CPS collects high quality data because some of the survey questions are complex requiring careful probing before the respondent can provide a complete answer. To evaluate how the internet self-response instrument performs, RTI International and Research Support Services Inc. (RSS) conducted two rounds of cognitive interviews with a prototype of the CPS instrument developed by the Census Bureau in Qualtrics. This report presents the findings from these interviews and recommendations for the CPS internet self-response instrument.
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Page Last Revised - March 7, 2025
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