Survey Methodology
Who’s asking? Interviewer effects on unit nonresponse in the Household Finance and Consumption Survey

by by Nicolas Albacete, Pirmin Fessler and Peter LindnerNote 1

  • Release date: December 23, 2025
More information PDF version

Abstract

This study examines interviewer effects on household nonresponse in three waves of the Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) in Austria using a multilevel model. Addressing nonresponse at its source is crucial for maintaining survey data quality and representativeness. Our findings indicate that the variation in response behavior explained by interviewer effects decreased from about one-third in the first wave to 7% in the third wave. Effective interviewers tend to have a university degree, be married, homeowners, and have a larger workload. Additionally, higher mean wages in the household’s municipality negatively affect survey participation. These insights suggest targeted interviewer selection and training strategies to improve response rates.

Key Words:    HFCS; Interviewer effects; Interviewer survey; Unit nonresponse.

Table of contents

How to cite

Albacete, N., Fessler, P. and Lindner, P. (2025). Who’s asking? Interviewer effects on unit nonresponse in the Household Finance and Consumption Survey. Survey Methodology, 51(2), 629-646. Paper available at http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/12-001-x/2025002/article/00002-eng.pdf.

Note

More information

ISSN : 1492-0921

Editorial policy

Survey Methodology publishes articles dealing with various aspects of statistical development relevant to a statistical agency, such as design issues in the context of practical constraints, use of different data sources and collection techniques, total survey error, survey evaluation, research in Survey Methodology, time series analysis, seasonal adjustment, demographic studies, data integration, estimation and data analysis methods, and general survey systems development. The emphasis is placed on the development and evaluation of specific methodologies as applied to data collection or the data themselves. All papers will be refereed. However, the authors retain full responsibility for the contents of their papers and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board or of Statistics Canada.

Submission of Manuscripts

Survey Methodology is published twice a year in electronic format. Authors are invited to submit their articles in English or French in electronic form, preferably in Word to the Editor, (statcan.smj-rte.statcan@canada.ca, Statistics Canada, 150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0T6). For formatting instructions, please see the guidelines provided in the journal and on the web site (www.statcan.gc.ca/SurveyMethodology).

Note of appreciation

Canada owes the success of its statistical system to a long-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill.

Standards of service to the public

Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients.

Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2025

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue No. 12-001-X

Frequency: Semi-annual

Ottawa

close
Date modified: