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Reactivity in Panel Studies and its Consequences for Testing Causal Hypotheses

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  • JOHANNES VAN DER ZOUWEN

    (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam)

  • THEO VAN TILBURG

    (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam)

Abstract

The procedure of standardized repeated measurement, as used in panel studies, may hamper the quality of the data, due to the potential “reactivity†of survey interviewing on respondents' attitudes and behavior. In case respondents are interviewed in subsequent waves by different interviewers, differential interviewer effects may occur. These threats to data quality are illustrated with data from a longitudinal study among 2,819 older adults, conducted in the Netherlands. From an analysis of 100 interview protocols, it appears that the behavior of the interviewers has a significant impact on the data obtained. On one hand, interviewers seem to adjust their interviewing strategy to a norm regarding a “normal†personal network and, on the other hand, to a norm about the appropriate interviewing time. Suggestions are formulated to prevent misestimating actual change within respondents over time, leading to incorrect conclusions about causal relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes Van Der Zouwen & Theo Van Tilburg, 2001. "Reactivity in Panel Studies and its Consequences for Testing Causal Hypotheses," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 30(1), pages 35-56, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:30:y:2001:i:1:p:35-56
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124101030001003
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    Cited by:

    1. Toepoel, V. & Das, J.W.M. & van Soest, A.H.O., 2008. "Design Effects in Web Surveys : Comparing Trained and Fresh Respondents," Other publications TiSEM 4c8b40aa-7557-4844-9474-b, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    2. Toepoel, V. & Das, J.W.M. & van Soest, A.H.O., 2008. "Relating Question Type to Panel Conditioning : A Comparison between Trained and Fresh Respondents," Discussion Paper 2008-4, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    3. Hans-Jürgen Andreß, 2017. "The need for and use of panel data," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 352-352, April.

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