Investigating Live Video Interviewing in the Life in Australia™ Panel Survey: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Video calls have become common in many people’s lives, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviewing respondents via video calls may be a useful addition to the survey mode toolbox as it may increase response rates as well as data quality for at least some population subgroups. To assess the potential of live video interviews (VI) in Australia, a study was implemented, examining VI in a probability-based online panel in Australia in 2022, using an experimental design. The focus of the assessment presented in this paper is on (a) factors that influence VI uptake (as measured by general willingness, consent, appointment-making and response to VI), and (b) factors that influence the data quality of the resulting survey responses (as measured by satisficing and social desirability indicators), comparing the VI response group to a group using the panel’s regular online self-completion design. We find that panel members who are highly educated, frequently use the internet, and have high prior panel wave completion rates are the most likely to try VI. Older panel members are more willing to try VI than younger ones, but do not actually participate at higher rates. Regarding data quality of responses, VI respondents produce more socially desirable responses compared to the online self-completion respondents while no differences in terms of satisficing behavior are detected.