R U in the Network? Using Provider Internet Resources as Screeners for Working Cell Phone Status

Abstract:

The proliferation of cell phone (CP) usage in the U.S. has forced many survey researchers to include supplementary samples of CP numbers to protect against potential undercoverage errors now encountered with standard landline (LL) sampling designs.   However, even though CP usage continues to rise, the national hit rate from CP number banks (hovering around 60%) is only slightly higher than the LL analog. Even with this moderate hit rate, inefficiencies in CP designs exist, especially for those that screen for cell phone only (CPO) users. Read more

Mode, Measurement, and Mayhem: A Closer Look at Measurement Error in a Mixed Mode Study

Abstract:

The Gallup Panel recruits members randomly using Random Digit Dial (RDD) methodology and assigns members to receive surveys either through the mail or web. Since both of these modes are self-administered, there is no interviewer to motivate respondents to answer carefully. The only communication of the researcher with the respondents is through the instructions, question wording, and design. The Gallup Panel surveys often include many long lists of questions that use the same response options. When respondents answer long batteries of questions such as these, they may be more likely to change their response patterns towards the end of the battery as they become fatigued, resulting in measurement error. Read more

A New Hue of the Cell Phone-Only Landscape: Demographic Characteristics of Landline Cord Cutters New to “Cell Phone-Only”

Abstract:

A growing number of Americans with diverse telephone service histories are considering giving up their household landline phone access and planning to use cell phones exclusively. While previous studies on cell phone-only individuals have documented consistent trends in demographics such as in age (younger), place (urban), residency ownership (rent) and income (lower), little is known about the demographics of those who are cutting the landline telephone cord in favor of cell phone-only status. Read more

“I Just Switched” – Who is switching from a landline phone household to cell phone-only household?

Abstract:

In recent years, there has been an increase in the proportion of U.S. households that use cell phones exclusively or extensively. This trend presents a challenge to consumer research panels such as The Gallup Panel that use random digit dialing (RDD) methodology to contact U.S. households at random by landline phone in order to represent the entire U.S. population with their research. Included in this trend is a growing percentage of Americans who are considering giving up their landline phone access at home and planning to use cell phones exclusively. Read more

Is Satisficing a slippery slope? An investigation into the effects of satisficing when answering questions in a mail survey

Abstract:

In this article, we investigate response-order effects across various candidate questions (i.e., questions potentially prone to satisficing) from a 2007 Social Issues mail survey conducted by The Gallup Panel. We also investigate extreme responding and analyze patterns of extreme responses. Read more

Examination of Types and Effects of Spiritual Seeking

Abstract:

Recent studies on religious attitudes and behavior tend to suggest that Americans are becoming more spiritual and less religious. The spiritual seeking is seen as characterizing the present moment – creating what Roof (1999) calls a culture of spiritual quest. In this changing cultural landscape that is characterized by differences in belief and practices between the spiritually versus religiously committed, there is little empirical evidence for different types of spiritual questing and its effects, if any, in a individuals consumer centric life. In this article, the authors investigate the effects of three different types of spiritual seeking: Religion as Means, Religion as End, and Religion as Quest. Read more

Spiritual, but not Religious: Insights from an Online Panel

Abstract:

Recent studies have suggested that a growing number of Americans identify themselves as ‘Spiritual, but not religious’. The socio-demographic portrait of this group of unchurched Americans, which has been nicely described by many authors (see, Fuller (2001) and Roof (1993)) is a one-point perspective of this group. Another perspective, which focuses on the role of spirituality on consumer behavior, however has received limited empirical research. Read more

Modes of Religious and Spiritual Orientation and their Relationships to Consumer Behavior

Abstract:

Does one’s religious and spiritual orientation influence his or her behavior in marketplace? A verdict is not clear. This exploratory study presents the results of a religious orientation survey administered using an online panel. The results show that well-developed measures of religious orientation (internal, external, and interactional – Batson and Ventis (1982)) are related to how Americans buy and consume. Read more

Reliability of Profile Information in Panel Surveys

Abstract:

Survey In panel surveys, a member’s profile information usually consists of, but is not limited to, member’s invariant (e.g. race, gender, age) and variant (e.g. education, marital status, occupation) characteristics. In this paper, the reliability or consistency of response to profile information questions in panel surveys is investigated. Read more

Wireless Surveys: A New Paradigm in Survey Research

Abstract:

The integration of Internet and Wireless technologies is creating a vast array of services in marketing research to which people want easy and universal access. These services deliver information where and when people want them: directly into the palm of their hand either through a digital mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or any other palm-held device. Read more