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Can Survey Participation Alter Household Saving Behavior?

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  • Winter, Joachim
  • Crossley, Thomas
  • de Bresser, Jochem
  • Delaney, Liam

Abstract

Much empirical research in economics is based on data from household surveys. Panel surveys are particularly valuable for understanding dynamics and heterogeneity. A possible concern with panel surveys is that survey participation itself may alter subsequent behavior. We provide novel evidence of survey effects on household financial behavior in a developed country. We exploit randomized assignment to survey modules within the LISS-panel, an internet panel survey which is representative of the Dutch population. Our saving measure is based on linked administrative wealth data, allowing us to distinguish changes in saving behavior from changes in reporting behavior. We find that households that respond to detailed questions on expenditures and needs in retirement reduced their non-housing saving rate by 3 percentage points. The size of the effect is increasing in the education level of the household. One interpretation is that the survey acted as a salience shock.

Suggested Citation

  • Winter, Joachim & Crossley, Thomas & de Bresser, Jochem & Delaney, Liam, 2014. "Can Survey Participation Alter Household Saving Behavior?," VfS Annual Conference 2014 (Hamburg): Evidence-based Economic Policy 100379, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100379
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    1. Pettinicchi, Yuri & Vellekoop, Nathanael, 2019. "Job loss expectations, durable consumption and household finances: Evidence from linked survey data," SAFE Working Paper Series 249, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE.
    2. Stephan, Gesine & Hetschko, Clemens & Schmidtke, Julia & Eid, Michael & Lawes, Mario, 2024. "Feeling Observed? A Field Experiment on the Effects of Intense Survey Participation on Job Seekers' Labour Market Outcomes," IZA Discussion Papers 17347, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Van Landeghem, Bert, 2019. "Stable traits but unstable measures? Identifying panel effects in self-reflective survey questions," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 83-95.
    4. Bert Van Landeghem & Anneleen Vandeplas, 2016. "Lower in rank, but happier: the complex relationship between status and happiness," Working Papers of LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance 556194, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance.
    5. Landeghem, Bert Van & Cörvers, Frank & Grip, Andries de, 2017. "Is there a rationale to contact the unemployed right from the start? Evidence from a natural field experiment," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 158-168.
    6. Martin Browning & Thomas F. Crossley & Joachim Winter, 2014. "The Measurement of Household Consumption Expenditures," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 6(1), pages 475-501, August.
    7. Bodo Herzog, 2022. "Do Post-Corona European Economic Policies Lift Growth Prospects? Exploring an ML-Methodology," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, March.
    8. Yi Fan & Diana M. Weinhold, 2022. "Urban noise, sleep disruption and health," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(50), pages 5782-5799, October.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance

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