Sampling Designs in Telephone Survey: An Experimental Study

Abstract

This research aims to compare the results, costs, and the level of representation of computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) techniques under the following conditions: (1) the same sampling approach utilizing different frames; and (2) different sampling approaches utilizing the same frame. An experimental design was devised specifically for the study. Two sampling frames were employed and both included residential numbers listed nationwide with RDD design. One of the frames was an old electronic directory (OED) accompanied by the CATI system. The other frame was a new, updated electronic directory (NED). The area code-prefix combinations in the NED frame with RDD (APD) were used as an alternative sampling approach. Six questions regarding quality of life were applied to examine the possible differences between sampling designs and between sampling frames, in addition to questions concerning the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. Results indicated that the efficiency of the NED design was the greatest, followed by APD. The OED design had the lowest efficiency though only slightly behind the other two. In practice, however, APD is superior to the other two because it provides a probability sample. Regional representation was achieved by all of the three sampling designs, although the results of quality-of-life indicators were found to differ among them.