Course Summary
Given the declining response rates and increasing cost of surveys over the past several years, researchers are increasingly turning to mixed-mode surveys. Mixed-mode surveys also offer the promise of reducing measurement error or improving data quality for certain types of items. Specifically, mixed-mode surveys attempt to combine the benefits of reduced cost and improved data quality associated with self-administered methods (e.g., Web and mail) with the improved representational qualities (especially coverage and nonresponse error reduction) associated with interviewer-administered methods (face-to-face or telephone). A wide variety of different mixed-mode methods have been evaluated and deployed. This course offers an overview of the different approaches to mixed-mode survey design, presents a summary of what is known and not known about mixing methods, and offers a set of guidelines to help the researcher make decisions about mixing modes of data collection.

Course Objectives
After this course, participants will
(1) Be familiar with the literature on mixed-mode survey design
(2) Understand the advantages and disadvantages of alternative approaches to combining various modes of survey data collection
(3) Be a more informed producer (designer) or consumer (analyst) of mixed-mode surveys

Target Audience
This course is suitable for people with some experience designing or analyzing surveys but who are new to mixed-mode approaches or have experience with only one mode of data collection. It is particularly appropriate for those who are involved the design, execution, or evaluation of mixed-mode surveys, or who are considering such an approach. 

Preliminary Reading
De Leeuw, E.D. (2005), “To Mix or Not to Mix Data Collection Modes in Surveys.” Journal of Official Statistics, 21 (2): 233-255.