In Wave 6 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, first time refusals made up sixty-five percent of the total refusals. In an attempt to understand motivations for this non-participation, an investigation was conducted on all first time refusers via a short telephone interview. This exercise, while not providing new insights into refusal rationale, was surprisingly well received by respondents and many articulated a desire to continue to participate in the Study. As a result, it was decided to follow up particular populations of Wave 7 refusals – the younger cohort primary parent, and the older cohort young person (still approaching the primary parent in the first instance). The purpose was two-fold: firstly to re-contact refusals and delve deep into the why; and secondly, if the participants were willing, to conduct a thirty minute telephone interview to collect key data items from Wave 7.
The development process for this exercise was managed in a short time frame and needed to take into account the change of mode from face-to-face or computer-assisted self- interview to telephone mode, as well as decisions about which content should be included in the brief interview. Other considerations included: the timing of the follow up; which refusals would be appropriate for inclusion in the sample; and the selection and training of interviewers.
This presentation covers the rationale, development, field outcomes and key results of the exercise.