PALESTINIAN SOCIETY - Fafo

Non-response is generally the most important single source ofbias
in surveys. Most exposed to non-response bias are variables related to
the very phenomenon of being a (frequent) "not-at-homer" or not
(example: cinema attendance). In Western saeieties non-response
rates of 15-30% are normal.
Various measures have been undertaken to keep non-response at
the lowest level possible. Most of all confidence-building has been of
concern, implying contacts with laeal community representatives
have been made in order to enlist their support and approval. Further­
more, many hours have been spent explaining the scope of the survey
to respondents and anyone else wanting to know, assuring that the
survey makers neither would impose taxes on people nor demolish
their homes, or - equally important for the reliability of the survey -
bring direct material aid.
Furthermore, up to 4 call-backs were applied if selected respond­
ents were not at home. U sually the data collectors were able to get an
appointment for a subsequent visit at the first attempt, so that only one
revisit was required in most cases. Unit non-response thus comprises
refusals and those not being at home at all after four attempts.
Table A.l3 shows the net number of respondents and non­
responses in each of the three parts of the survey. The initial sizes of
the various samples are deduced from the table by adding responses
and non-responses. For the household and RSI samples, the total size
was 2,518 units, while the female sample size was 1,247. It is seen
from the bottom line that the non-response rates are outstandingly
small compared to the "normal" magnitudes of 10 - 20% in sirnilar
surveys. Consequently, there should be fairly good evidence for
maintaining that the effects of non-response in this survey are
insignificant.
Table A.l3 Number of (net) respondents and non-respondents in the
tree parts of the survey
Households RSls Women
Region Resp. Non-resp. Resp. Non-re�p. Resp. Non-resp
Gaza 970 8 968 10 482 4
West Bank 1,023 16 1,004 35 502 14
Arab Jerusalem 486 15 478 23 240 5
Total 2,479 39 2,450 68 1,224 23
Non-reEponse rate 1.5% 2.7% 1.8%
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