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Topics
Data & Maps
Surveys & Programs
Resource Library
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.
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.
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Working PaperEnhancing Web Survey Data Quality While Minimizing BurdenThis experiment tested three approaches for reporting discrete values for mortgage, rent, utilities, and the down payment for home purchases.
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Working PaperFeasibility of Using an Online Individual Census Questionnaire in 2030A survey was sent to administrators of select group quarters types to help determine which types should be eligible for an internet self-response option.
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Working PaperTargeting At-Risk Households to Reduce the UndercountDetailed agenda for incorporating community-based participatory research and administrative records to target sample for research to reduce the undercount.
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Working PaperCognitive Testing for an Internet Self-Response Mode of the CPS
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Working PaperTesting a Series of Categorical Earned Income Questions
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Working PaperDo Shortcut Checkboxes Help or Hurt in Web Surveys?Tested respondents’ receptivity to a checkbox that indicated an “all year” response to a question asking how many paychecks were received during the year.
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Working PaperCognitive Pretesting of a National Internet Use SurveyFindings and recommendations from cognitive testing of a computer and internet use supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS).
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Working PaperData Collection Quality Improvement (DCQI) at the Census BureauExplorations of internet self-response and the use of auxiliary information to address high nonresponse and data collection costs in surveys.
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Working PaperA Census Bureau Survey Landing Page Website Metric SummaryEvaluation of the Census 2023 test landing page usage, e.g. devices and referral methods used and rates of navigated to the census form.
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Working PaperFeasibility of Using an Online Individual Census Questionnaire in 2030Study of 7 different types of Group Quarters to identify candidates for online data collection from individual residents.
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Working PaperTesting SNAP Client Messaging and Application FormsTesting of SNAP materials communicating program rules and consequences for violation of the rules.
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Working PaperUsability of QR Code as a Method to Access a Survey Using a SmartphoneUsability study (effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction) of using QR codes as a method to access an online survey through a smartphone.
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Working PaperOMB Race and Ethnicity Cognitive Testing: Findings and RecommendationsTesting of updates including race and ethnicity in a single question and adding "Middle Eastern or North African” as a response category.
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Working PaperText-To-Web for Measuring User Satisfaction with the Online CensusExperiment testing whether time of day the text was sent (12 noon or 6 pm) influenced overall response rate or satisfaction.
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Working PaperMobile Survey Design Research - Experiment 27: Breadcrumb TrailUsability study comparing navigation designs with and without breadcrumb trail and found no benefit to breadcrumb trail.
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Working PaperMobile Survey Design Research - Experiment 18: Response OptionsUsability study compared response option icon size and button size on respondent performance.
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Working PaperFocus Groups on Public Opinion of Administrative RecordsAssesses public opinion of a national demographic frame that would include person-level demographic, social, and economic characteristics for the U.S.
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Working PaperCognitive Testing on Public Opinion of Administrative RecordsTesting of a survey instrument intended to measure public opinion about the use of administrative records by the Census Bureau.
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Working PaperTesting of 2020 ACS Strategic Framework Mail MaterialsAlternative designs used plain language principles, color, icons, pictures, and novel structure.
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Working PaperMobile Survey Design Research Experiment: Date Entry MethodUsability comparison of three date entry designs: picklist, keyed-entry and hybrid.
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Working PaperFocus Groups with Field Representatives on CATI/CAPI GuidelinesExploring how to maximize usability for the interviewers while collecting accurate data efficiently from the respondents.
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Working PaperOverview of the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Tracking Survey StudyKey findings from a survey designed as part of the overall 2020 Census Integrated Communications Campaign (ICC).
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Working PaperAsk U.S. Panel Pilot, Department of Defense PopulationsDesign and methodology of the Ask U.S. Panel adaptations to include samples of active duty military members in paygrades E1-E4.
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Working PaperMobile Survey Design Research -Experiment 12: Label Design for LogoutThis study compared usability between two label designs for a logout button: “Logout” vs. “Save& Logout.”
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Working Paper2021 Initial Mailing Pressure Seal TestThis 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.
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Working PaperUse of Mobile Phone Location Data in Official StatisticsLiterature review to assess the state of international research in using mobile phone location data for official statistics and civic planning.
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Working PaperFeedback from Field Staff on National Health Interview Survey MaterialQualitative study National Health Interview Survey field staff on respondent-facing materials, follow-up letters and proposed incentives.
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Working PaperCognitive Pretesting of 2023 American Housing Survey ModulesTesting of new and revised modules: healthy homes, first generation homeowner, heat risk, power outage and cooling problems.
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Working PaperCognitive Testing of the 2019 American Community Survey Due Date TestTesting of a due date message in the 5th ACS mailing, which is the final opportunity to motivate a self-response prior to the more costly in-person operation.
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Working PaperNational Health Interview Survey Biomeasures StudyPilot project with field representatives on respondent willingness to provide biomeasures such as blood and urine samples in the NHIS.
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Working PaperCognitive Pretesting of the Internet Use SurveyTesting new and revised questions including underreporting of cyberbullying and cost as a reason why people do not access the internet at home.
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Working PaperFinal Report of the Privacy Act Cognitive Testing ProjectTesting in English and Spanish of required language and general messaging around the themes of privacy and confidentiality.
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Working PaperComparing Census Bureau Media Coverage and Federal Survey CooperationStudy uses media listening tools to examine associations between mentions in the news media of decennial census and respondent cooperation.
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Working PaperMobile Survey Design Research - Experiment 13: Text AlignmentTest of usability between two text alignment designs: Left-alignment and Center-alignment.
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Working PaperMobile Survey Design Research Experiment 11: Logout Button PlacementStudy compared usability among three “Save & Logout” placement designs: visible on screen, inside main menu, and inside sub-menu.
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Working PaperTesting of the Login Screen for the American Community SurveyTesting of a redesigned login screen of the online version of the American Community Survey
All Subtopics Within Research
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Dissemination and Access—Innovation and ResearchExplore our research and innovations related to effectively disseminating quality data while protecting respondents’ confidentiality.
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Economic and Social ResearchLearn about our use of confidential microdata on businesses and households to do empirical research in economics, sociology, demography, and related fields.
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Research Computing EnvironmentsExplore our leading-edge research in computational environments that use data science methods such as web scraping, AI, machine learning, and record linkage.
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Statistical ResearchDelve into our research on statistical design, modeling, and analysis methods for data collection, analysis, statistical product development, and dissemination.
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Survey Methods ResearchLearn about our methodological research to design and evaluate questionnaires, recruitment materials, field rep training, and other aspects of data collection.
Page Last Revised - February 6, 2025
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