A critical tool for modeling the presence of rare or hard-to-reach demographic groups. The ABS Database is maintained by our advanced methods team and archives sampling data, deidentified responses, and paradata from previous SSRS-administered ABS collections. Comprising data for nearly 2.1 million U.S. addresses, over 260,000 survey responses with up to 850 data points each, the database allows the SSRS team to build predictive models that effectively identify, target, and recruit respondents in a highly-tailored way.

Our sample designs allow us to reach representative samples of unique populations including low-incidence racial, ethnic, and religious subgroups, immigrants, unemployed and uninsured individuals, and households with children. Our unique approach combines linked external data and model-based sample designs to find key target populations, and experimentally-tested contact strategies to obtain responses from them.

SSRS ABS designs employ multiple contact and response modes including mailed push-to-web, inbound- and outbound-phone, and self-administered paper and pencil surveys. Our designs incorporate best practice with the unique needs of the target population along with study-requirements and client resources to deliver the highest quality solutions.

One-size-fits-all data collection methods are not always the best way to collect high-quality data at an affordable cost. Using linked auxiliary data and dynamic predictive models of response behavior, adaptive survey designs can improve cost effectiveness by directing limited data collection resources to sample members for which they are most likely to be necessary and effective. Our Advanced Methods team can recommend adaptive design protocols that are tailored to the goals and needs of each study, whether it is maximizing the response rate, minimizing nonresponse bias, or controlling costs.

Turn to us for research that meets the standards applied by state governments and top-tier journals. ABS survey research requires an extended field period, multiple contact-attempts, and tailored refusal conversion efforts. We have a long list of studies meeting stringent rules and adhering to the best practices of survey research.