NWO research grant for Marieke Haan

Marieke Haan, assistant professor at sociology, received a research grant from NWO in the Open Competition XS round 2 for her research on understanding non-response in surveys. Her project is titled: 'Speaking of non-response: Understanding survey non-participation from the perspective of non-respondents'.

The downward trend in survey response rates is a major threat for data quality because it may cause non-response bias leading to distorted conclusions. A multidisciplinary approach, in which theoretical insights from multiple research fields are combined, is necessary to unravel the mechanisms behind survey (non)-participation. In this project, a first step is taken in the development of a new theory specifically aimed at survey participation, in which current technological and social trends are given a place. By speaking with non-respondents about their reasons for survey non-participation, the first essential insights for this new theory will be obtained.