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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
11:21
Methodology for Establishing a Community-Wide Life Laboratory for Capturing Unobtrusive and Continuous Remote Activity and Health Data
Published on: July 27, 2018
Surveying a Chicago public housing development: methodological challenges and lessons learned.
Allyson L Holbrook1, Isabel C Farrar, Susan J Popkin
1Survey Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
Evaluation Review
|November 10, 2006
Summary
Using local residents as interviewers in Chicago housing developments improved survey cooperation rates. However, challenges arose with indigenous interviewers, impacting data quality indicators like item nonresponse.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Survey Methodology
- Urban Studies
Background:
- Community-based research often faces challenges in participant engagement and data collection.
- The use of indigenous interviewers (residents from the community) is a strategy to potentially improve survey outcomes.
- Previous research offers insights into the benefits and drawbacks of employing local interviewers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of using resident (indigenous) interviewers versus external interviewers in a Chicago housing development survey.
- To identify specific challenges encountered when utilizing indigenous interviewers.
- To analyze data quality indicators, such as cooperation rates and item nonresponse, between the two interviewer groups.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted in Ida Wells and Madden Park housing developments in Chicago during winter/spring 2003.
- The study involved comparing data quality metrics between interviewers who were residents of the developments and those from a regular interviewer pool.
- Data quality indicators examined included cooperation rates, item nonresponse, and responses to sensitive questions.
Main Results:
- Using indigenous interviewers was associated with higher cooperation rates in the surveyed housing developments.
- Challenges were identified in the implementation and management of indigenous interviewer programs.
- Analysis of data quality indicators revealed specific differences between the two interviewer groups, particularly concerning item nonresponse and sensitive questions.
Conclusions:
- Employing indigenous interviewers can enhance survey participation in similar community settings.
- Addressing the challenges associated with indigenous interviewers is crucial for maximizing their benefits and ensuring data integrity.
- Further research is needed to optimize strategies for using resident interviewers in social science research.
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