In February 2005, a meeting of statistical sampling and methodological research experts from the private, academic, and governmental sectors convened in New York City, as a follow-up to a similar meeting in 2003. Both meetings were organized and sponsored by Nielsen Media Research. The purpose of this meeting was to facilitate the discourse within the telephone survey industry on the treatment of cell phones in Random Digit Dial (RDD) surveys of the general public in the United States

The goal of publishing the information is to further the thinking of the research industry and to facilitate continued research on this issue. Statistical sampling and methodological research must stay abreast of the continued developments of cell phone technology and the resulting impact upon research subjects

Organized By: Paul J. Lavrakas and Chuck Shuttles, Nielsen Media Research (with the assistance of Ed Cohen, Arbitron; Jim Lepkowski, University of Michigan; Linda Piekarski, Survey Sampling International; and Clyde Tucker, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Attendee List

Agenda

12:00PM         Lunch, Penthouse/20^th Floor
12:40PM         Welcome and Introductions
1:00PM           Presentation and Discussion
                        Stephen Blumberg, CDC
                        NHIS estimates of cell-phone only population size and characteristics

1:25PM           Presentation and Discussion
                        Clyde Tucker, BLS, and Mike Brick, Westat
                        CPS estimates of cell-phone only population size and characteristics

1:50PM           Presentation and Discussion
                        Michael Link, CDC     
                        Cellular dispositions in the BRFFS 

2:15PM           Presentation and Discussion
                        Scott Keeter, Pew
                        2004 exit poll insights into cell phone usage

2:35PM           Break

2:50PM           Presentation and Discussion
                        Charlotte Steeh, Georgia State U.
                        Data quality in cell phone interviewing

3:15PM           Presentation and Discussion
                        Bob Tortora, Gallup
                        European network sampling study

3:25PM           Presentation and Discussion
                        Mario Callegaro, U. Nebraska-Lincoln
                        Cell phone surveying and response rate calculations

3:50PM           Presentation and Discussion
                        Brian Dautch, CMOR
                        Update on current restrictions for survey research calls to cell phones  

4:15PM           Presentation and Discussion
                        Linda B. Piekarski, Survey Sampling International
                        What we know and don’t know

4:40PM           Review discussion agenda for Friday and revise as needed

5:00PM           Adjourn
 

8:00AM           Continental Breakfast, Penthouse/20^th Floor

8:30AM           Review and Opening Remarks
Group Discussion: Coverage Issues, the Frame, and Coverage Error – Problems and Possible Solutions
What sampling frame(s) to use for cell phone coverage?

10:15AM          Break

10:30AM          Group Discussion
                         Probability of Selection Weighting – Problems and Solutions
                         How to weight/integrate data gathered via the cell phone frame(s) and
                         landline frame(s)? 

11:50PM         Break

12:00PM         Working Lunch and Group Discussion: Nonresponse Issue, Response Codes and Rate Calculation, Gaining Cooperation, and Nonresponse Error – Problems and Solutions

How best to counter nonresponse when sampling cell phones?

1:30PM           Break

1:40PM          Group Discussion: Telephone Research/Call Center Operational Issues

Legal and operational constraints when interviewing someone on a cell phone

2:30PM           Review/ Wrap-Up, and Where Do We Go From Here?

3:00PM           Adjourn

If you have comments or questions please email Paul Lavrakas