ESRA 2027 sessions by theme
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Get in touch – stay in touch: Methodological and practical challenges in light of heterogeneity |
| Coordinator 1 | Mr Simon Dickopf (LIfBi – Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsverläufe) |
| Coordinator 2 | Mr André Müller-Kuller (LIfBi – Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsverläufe) |
| Coordinator 3 | Mrs Anna Passmann (LIfBi – Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsverläufe) |
| Coordinator 4 | Mrs Magdalena Pratter (LIfBi – Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsverläufe) |
Session Details
This session focuses on how survey research can respond to increasing heterogeneity in target populations, patterns of accessibility, and data needs.
Survey populations are becoming increasingly diverse in terms of their sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles, communication preferences, and accessibility. At the same time, researchers and data users are placing new demands on survey data, including the integration of digital behavioral data and data linkage. Together, these developments challenge established approaches to survey planning and implementation and call for the adaptation of existing instruments and strategies, as well as the development of new ones. Increasing heterogeneity has implications throughout the survey process. Fieldwork management, for example, needs to account for differences between population groups when designing recruitment and contact strategies, communication materials, modes of data collection, and approaches to participation. These challenges are particularly relevant for surveys seeking broad and representative population coverage, as well as for longitudinal surveys that aim to maintain respondents’ participation over time.
Against this background, the session invites contributions addressing whether and how survey strategies can be adapted to accommodate increasingly heterogeneous populations and changing data needs. Topics may include contact strategies and communication designs (e.g., tailored materials and the use of new media), adaptive survey designs (e.g., mixed-mode approaches or splitting and segmenting longer questionnaires), recruitment strategies combining different approaches (e.g., initial web screening), and incentive strategies (e.g., pre-incentives or promised and perceived benefits of participation).
We welcome contributions that provide empirical evidence or practical and methodological insights into how surveys can address the growing diversity of target populations and the evolving requirements of researchers and data users. Both quantitative and qualitative contributions, as well as methodological and practical experiences, are welcome.
