The Survey Research Methods Section (SRMS) will host five roundtable discussions at the Joint Statistical Meetings in Denver. These sessions provide a unique opportunity for an informal discussion on topics across academics, industry, and government. AM roundtables begin at 7:00 and include breakfast ($25). PM roundtables begin at 12:30 and include lunch ($45).

There Are Two SRMS A.M. Roundtables:

Using Behavioral Insights to Increase Response Rates
Victoria A. Velkoff, US Census Bureau
This roundtable will highlight work the US Census Bureau has done to integrate lessons learned from behavioral science research to communicate with respondents and motivate their response to Census Bureau surveys. Participants are invited to hear about the bureau’s research and share their own work using behavioral insights in data-collection efforts.

Planning and Developing Methods for the Proliferation of Nonprobability Data Sources
Kennon Copeland, NORC at the University of Chicago
Rather than assuming the use of nonprobability survey data, administrative data, and organic data is a passing fad or attacking any use of such data, we should develop approaches ensuring appropriate use and work toward guidelines for appropriate use, caveats, interpretation, and error measurement. We will discuss the current state, examples, and possible directions.

There Are Three SRMS P.M. Roundtables:

Constructing Better Coverage Intervals for Parameters Estimated from a Complex Sample Survey
Phil Kott, RTI
A revised method of coverage-interval construction has been developed in the literature that “speeds up the asymptotics” by incorporating an estimated skewness measure. We will discuss how skewness-adjusted coverage intervals can be computed in common situations and why it is inappropriate to call them “confidence intervals.”

Two Americas Now? What Polling Tells Us About Where We Stand
Mark Schulman, SSRS Research
Has the gulf between the two Americas even widened in 2018 and 2019? This roundtable will discuss recent polling and the 2018 elections results, electoral history, and other recent polling to provide a portrait of where we stand. Data sources include the Pew Research Center, election exit polling, and other leading public opinion sources.

What Do We Know About the Value of High-Quality Statistical Information? How Can We Learn More?
John L. Eltinge, US Census Bureau
This roundtable will focus on the connection between multidimensional measures of data quality and stakeholder value and methods to assess the value of intangible products like statistical information, including distinctions between “use value” and “option value,” as well as the strengths and limitations of previous work.

These events have limited availability and are subject to sell-out or cancellation. If you have questions regarding SRMS roundtable discussions, contact Yang Cheng or Steven Pedlow. Visit the JSM website to register for a roundtable.