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Linking Survey and Administrative Records

Author

Listed:
  • Joseph W. Sakshaug
  • Mick P. Couper
  • Mary Beth Ofstedal
  • David R. Weir

Abstract

Survey records are increasingly being linked to administrative databases to enhance the survey data and increase research opportunities for data users. A necessary prerequisite to linking survey and administrative records is obtaining informed consent from respondents. Obtaining consent from all respondents is a difficult challenge and one that faces significant resistance. Consequently, data linkage consent rates vary widely from study to study. Several studies have found significant differences between consenters and nonconsenters on sociodemographic variables, but no study has investigated the underlying mechanisms of consent from a theory-driven perspective. In this study, we describe and test several hypotheses related to respondents’ willingness to consent to an earnings and benefit data linkage request based on mechanisms related to financial uncertainty, privacy concerns, resistance toward the survey interview, level of attentiveness during the interview, the respondents’ preexisting relationship with the administrative data agency, and matching respondents and interviewers on observable characteristics. The results point to several implications for survey practice and suggestions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph W. Sakshaug & Mick P. Couper & Mary Beth Ofstedal & David R. Weir, 2012. "Linking Survey and Administrative Records," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 41(4), pages 535-569, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:41:y:2012:i:4:p:535-569
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124112460381
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephen P. Jenkins & Lorenzo Cappellari & Peter Lynn & Annette Jäckle & Emanuela Sala, 2006. "Patterns of consent: evidence from a general household survey," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 169(4), pages 701-722, October.
    2. C. O'Muircheartaigh & P. Campanelli, 1999. "A multilevel exploration of the role of interviewers in survey non‐response," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 162(3), pages 437-446.
    3. Emanuela Sala & Jonathan Burton & Gundi Knies, 2012. "Correlates of Obtaining Informed Consent to Data Linkage," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 41(3), pages 414-439, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Steffen Künn, 2015. "The challenges of linking survey and administrative data," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 214-214, December.
    2. Al Baghal, Tarek & Knies, Gundi & Burton, Jonathan, 2014. "Linking administrative records to surveys: differences in the correlates to consent decisions," Understanding Society Working Paper Series 2014-09, Understanding Society at the Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    3. Warnke, Arne Jonas, 2017. "An investigation of record linkage refusal and its implications for empirical research," ZEW Discussion Papers 17-031, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    4. Das Marcel & Couper Mick P., 2014. "Optimizing Opt-Out Consent for Record Linkage," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 30(3), pages 479-497, September.
    5. Bucks, Brian & Pence, Karen, 2015. "Wealth, pensions, debt, and savings: Considerations for a panel survey," Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, IOS Press, issue 1-4, pages 151-175.

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