Nonresponse in the recruitment of an internet panel based on probability sampling

Abstract

"In this paper the authors study the selectivity in the recruitment of respondents for one of CentERdata's Internet panels (the CentERpanel). This recruitment is based on a probability sample. It involves three stages: participation to a first telephone interview, willing to be re-contacted and final agreement to participate in the Internet panel. By matching data of the recruitment process with registries of Statistics Netherlands they are able to distinguish selectivity with regard to age and income in all stages and with pc-ownership in the latter two stages only. Interestingly, the authors hardly find any selectivity with key variables on living conditions. Finally they will make some explicit recommendations for the recruitment process." (author's abstract)