Reaching Spanish-Speakers in Self-Administered Surveys

• DOI: 10.31296/aop.v3i4.101
• Publication Date: 2019-05-15T07:21:16Z
• Authors: J Michael Brick; Andrew Caporaso; Douglas Williams; David Cantor
• Keywords: Survey data collection

Decisions on public policy can be affected if important segments of the population are systematically excluded from data used to drive decisions. In US, Spanishspeakers make up an subgroup that surveys conducted in English-only underrepresent. This differs a variety characteristics and they less likely respond English-only. These factors lead nonresponse biases problematic for survey estimates. For by mail, one solution is include both English Spanish materials package. addresses US where Spanish-speakers living, this approach effective, but it still may omit some non-English-speakers. Traditionally, including not identified as have was considered due concerns backlash effect. The effect predominantly English-speakers might at lower rate because inclusion materials. Prior research found no evidence backlash, twophase with short screener questionnaire identify eligible education survey. paper, we report experiments two extend previous criminal victimization health communication single-phase surveys. test language Spanish-speakers. Our findings confirm most results research; however find substantial increase Spanish-only participation when offered languages We offer thoughts these directions future research, especially respect collecting Internet.