The Center for Panel Survey Sciences is dedicated to researching and developing best practices in probability-based panel surveys. The innovative methods we explore include:
- Constructing appropriate sample frames
- Sampling potential panelists
- Providing tailored design strategies to enlist panelists at the highest recruitment rates
- Empaneling effectively after recruitment
- Retaining panelists
- Maintaining high levels of engagement and increasing response to subsequent surveys
We offer in-depth research on the challenges—and solutions—particular to multi-client probability-based survey panels, such as attrition, conditioning, mode effects, and panel nonresponse. The Center also provides expertise in building a range of panels, from those of the general population to highly specialized panels of small groups such as young adults, Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, STEM workers, or persons ages 50 and older.
Based on our experience and expertise, we provide perspectives on best practices in panel surveys, such as the use of nonresponse follow-up recruitment strategies, trap questions, and other techniques to ensure data quality, the use of emerging technologies for panel surveys, and the importance of finding methods to survey Americans that do not access the internet.
Our research continually explores how to ensure high-quality, valid, reliable data from probability-based panels. With AmeriSpeak®, the Center has a rich data source to execute a range of research projects.
Our most recent work includes:
- Multi-mode recruitment and data collection strategies
- The use of Big Data to model panelist characteristics
- The impact of panelist psychological and personality-based attributes on survey nonresponse
- Measurements of panel conditioning and its effect on data quality
- Explorations of panelist attitudes and behaviors as they relate to election survey research on panels.
Our research seeks greater insight into the various potential error sources (coverage, sampling, nonresponse, measurement, and processing) that can occur during the panel and survey lifecycle. The Center has a rich, ambitious, and ongoing research program on probability-based panels, as well as a team of experts to help in building, maintaining, and using probability-based panels.
Center Leads
Center for Panel Survey Sciences Experts
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David Dutwin
Senior Vice President of Strategic InitiativesAmeriSpeak Chief Scientist & Center Director -
Ipek Bilgen
Principal Research MethodologistCenter Deputy Director -
J. Michael Dennis
Executive Director -
Leah Christian
Senior Vice President -
David Sterrett
Principal Research Scientist -
Stas Kolenikov
Principal Statistician
Expert Advisory Board
The Center includes internationally recognized thought leaders in panel research:
Annelies Blom
University of Bremen, Germany
Nancy Brigham
Dynata
Trent D. Buskirk
Bowling Green State University
Mario Callegaro
Google
LinChiat Chang
Independent Consultant
Joshua D. Clinton
Vanderbilt University
Carina Cornesse
German Institute for Economic Research
Ricardo Gonzalez
Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez
Carol Sue Haney
Qualtrics
D. Sunshine Hillygus
Duke University
Josh Pasek
University of Michigan
Laura Wronski
Momentive
Weiyu Zhang
National University of Singapore
“Probability-based panels are increasingly becoming a ‘go-to’ methodology for surveys at all levels of fit-for-purpose.”
“Panel surveys are becoming a sustainable solution to efficiently collect survey data. It is only through thoughtful, rigorous, and well-tested methods that panels provide high-quality data efficiently.”
“By founding NORC’s Center for Panel Sciences, NORC will be expanding its panel-centric research agenda and our commitment to dissemination and transparency in research in order to further advance this emerging field in survey research.”
“High-quality probability-based research panels have emerged as an important source for measuring social, economic, and health behaviors and opinions.”
“Given all the challenges facing political surveys, probability-based panels are an increasingly vital source for understanding Americans’ attitudes toward key social, political, and economic issues.”
“Statistical support for the panel recruitment, operation, and analysis involves finding a right mix of methods, from custom weighting plans to longitudinal models of attrition to latent class analyses to understand the measurement error properties of the survey questions.”
Discover Our Research
Center staff members regularly present at conferences and publish peer-reviewed articles, conference presentations, and white papers.