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Evaluating interviewer manipulation in the new round of the Generations and Gender Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Eugenio Paglino

    (Helsingin Yliopisto (University of Helsinki))

  • Tom Emery

    (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)

Abstract

Background: Past research has criticized the quality of the Generations and Gender Survey retrospective fertility and partnership histories. For example, fatigue and learning effects were deemed responsible for distortions in the Generations and Gender Survey in Germany. Objective: We assess the quality of the Generations and Gender Survey for Belarus (GGS-BL) in 2017 to assess whether the new centralized fieldwork system and monitoring procedures are effective in preventing distortions in life history data. Methods: We conduct a range of analyses to find evidence of fatigue and learning effects on the part of both interviewers and respondents. Multilevel models, comparison of crucial indicators with other sources, and descriptive analysis of item-nonresponse are used. Results: In a preliminary analysis, we find no evidence of severe distortions. An in-depth analysis into interviewer and respondent effects reveals some small signs of possible manipulation. However, when assessing the impact of anomalous interviewers on the indicators more likely to be affected, we find no evidence of harm to data quality. Conclusions: The new data collection procedure adopted by the Generations and Gender Survey seems to be effective in preventing detectable manipulation and fabrication. Furthermore, we dismiss the hypothesis that fatigue and learning effects are a source of bias in the collection of life history data. Contribution: This paper delivers three key messages: (1) the Generations and Gender Survey for Belarus is a reliable source for retrospective histories, (2) in-field checks are an effective tool to prevent fabrication, and (3) extensive use of inexperienced interviewers does not seem to harm data quality when adequate monitoring and monitoring is in place.

Suggested Citation

  • Eugenio Paglino & Tom Emery, 2020. "Evaluating interviewer manipulation in the new round of the Generations and Gender Survey," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 43(50), pages 1461-1494.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:43:y:2020:i:50
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2020.43.50
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jorik Vergauwen & Jonas Wood & David De Wachter & Karel Neels, 2015. "Quality of demographic data in GGS Wave 1," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(24), pages 723-774.
    2. Giles POLGLASE, 2013. "Higher education as soft power in the Eastern Partnership: the case of Belarus," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 4, pages 111-121, December.
    3. Su-Hao Tu & Pei-Shan Liao, 2007. "Social Distance, Respondent Cooperation and Item Nonresponse in Sex Survey," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 177-199, April.
    4. Darren W. Davis & Brian D. Silver, 2003. "Stereotype Threat and Race of Interviewer Effects in a Survey on Political Knowledge," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 47(1), pages 33-45, January.
    5. Michaela R. Kreyenfeld & Anne Hornung & Karolin Kubisch & Ina Jaschinski, 2010. "Fertility and union histories from German GGS data: some critical reflections," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2010-023, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    6. Christin Schäfer & Jörg-Peter Schräpler & Klaus-Robert Müller & Gert G. Wagner, 2004. "Automatic Identification of Faked and Fraudulent Interviews in Surveys by Two Different Methods," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 441, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    7. Sebastian Klüsener & Aiva Jasilioniene & Victoriya Yuodeshko, 2019. "Retraditionalization as a pathway to escape lowest-low fertility? Characteristics and prospects of the Eastern European “baby boom”," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2019-014, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    8. Kerstin Ruckdeschel & Lenore Sauer & Robert Naderi, 2016. "Reliability of retrospective event histories within the German Generations and Gender Survey," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 34(11), pages 321-358.
    9. De Haas Samuel & Winker Peter, 2016. "Detecting Fraudulent Interviewers by Improved Clustering Methods – The Case of Falsifications of Answers to Parts of a Questionnaire," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 32(3), pages 643-660, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    survey methods; interviewer effects; Generations and Gender Survey (GGS); data quality; retrospective histories;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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