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4363.0.55.001 - Australian Health Survey: Users' Guide, 2011-13  
Latest ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/12/2012   
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Contents >> Survey design and operation >> Measures to maximise response

MEASURES TO MAXIMISE RESPONSE

In any sample survey, responses should ideally be obtained from all selected units, however there will always be some non-response; for example, when people cannot be contacted or are contacted but cannot be interviewed, or refuse to participate in the survey. It is important that response be maximised in order to reduce sampling variability and avoid biases. Sampling variability increases when sample size decreases, and biases can arise if those people selected for the survey but who do not respond have characteristics different to those who did respond.

The ABS sought the willing cooperation of selected households. Measures taken to encourage respondent cooperation and maximise response included:

  • advance notice of a household's selection in the 2011-13 AHS by letter, explaining the purposes of the survey, its official nature and the confidentiality of the information collected. The letter stated that an ABS interviewer would visit, and provided an ABS contact number for more information if required. An information brochure on the survey was also provided;
  • stressing the importance of participation in the survey by the selected households and residents, explaining that they represented a number of other households, both geographically and demographically; that is, that their household represented other households similar in size, composition and location, and that they themselves represented other people with similar occupations, lifestyles and health characteristics. The cooperation of selected persons was important to ensure all households/persons were properly represented in the survey and properly reflected in survey results;
  • stressing the importance of the survey to the planning and provision of health services and facilities to meet Australia's health needs; and
  • stressing the confidentiality of all information collected. The confidentiality of data is guaranteed by the Census and Statistics Act, 1905. Under the provisions of this Act, the ABS is prevented from releasing any identifiable information about individuals or households to any person, organisation or government authority.

Through call-backs and follow-up at selected dwellings, every effort was made to contact the occupants of each selected dwelling and to conduct the survey in those dwellings. Interviewers made five call-backs before a dwelling was classified as a ‘non-contact’ (three call-backs in non-metropolitan areas). Call-backs occurred at different times of the day to increase the chance of contact. Once contact had been made at a dwelling, the interviewer completed all necessary questionnaires where possible. If any persons who were selected to be included in the survey were absent from the dwelling when the interviewer called, arrangements were made to return and interview them. Interviewers made return visits as necessary in order to complete questionnaires for selected persons in scope of the survey. In some cases, a selected respondent within a dwelling could not be contacted or interviewed, and these were classified as individual non-contacts.

As discussed in Data collection: Interviews, in cases where a respondent refused to participate in the survey a follow-up letter was sent to that household. A second visit was made to the respondent to explain the aims and importance of the survey, and to answer any particular concerns the respondent may have had.


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