We analysed the Understanding Society Data from Waves 1 and 2 in our project to explore the uses of paradata in cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys with the aim of gaining knowledge that leads to improvement in field process management and responsive survey designs. The project’s key objective was to explore the uses of paradata for cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys with the aim of gaining knowledge that leads to improvement in field process management and responsive survey designs. The research was organised into three sub-projects which: 1. investigate the use of call record data and interviewer observations to study nonresponse in longitudinal surveys; 2. provide insights into the effects of interviewing strategies and other interviewer attributes on response in longitudinal surveys, and 3. gain knowledge about the measurement error properties of paradata, in particular interviewer observations. Analysis techniques included multilevel, discrete-time event history and longitudinal data analysis methods. Dissemination included a short course and an international workshop on paradata.

Secondary data analysis. The raw data was obtained from the UK Data Archive and data preparation and manipulations were conducted by the researcher working on the project. Three main data files were created and used for the analysis.