Human capital
Subtitle: quality of DOD Status of Forces surveys could be improved by performing nonresponse analysis of the results
By: Brenda S. Farrell and Ronald S. Fecso
Contributors: Fesco, Ronald S.; United States. Government Accountability Office
Publisher: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Washington, DC
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Subjects: Rules and practice; Evaluation; Armed Forces; Manpower; Nonresponse (Statistics); Sampling (Statistics); Social surveys; Response rate; Defense Manpower Data Center (U.S.)
Other titles: Human capital :; Quality of DOD Status of Forces surveys could be improved by performing nonresponse analysis of the results
Notes: Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed July 13, 2010).

"July 12, 2010."

The Status of Forces surveys provide decision makers within the DOD community valuable information that is used to evaluate and monitor the progress of various defense programs and policies. This community could derive significant further benefit, however, if DMDC were to perform additional nonresponse analysis of its Status of Forces survey results. Specifically, performing nonresponse analysis, an established practice in survey research, could help DMDC improve the quality of the Status of Forces surveys by identifying the potential for nonresponse bias within its Status of Forces surveys. Taking steps to then address any bias found, such as adjusting the statistical weighting techniques used, could help strengthen the quality of the survey results over time, thereby enabling decision makers and other users of the survey results to better understand the perspectives of DOD personnel regarding the department's various programs and policies. To better determine the effects of nonresponse bias on the Status of Forces survey results, we recommend that you direct the Director of DMDC to develop and implement guidance both for conducting nonresponse analysis and for using the results of nonresponse analysis to inform DMDC's statistical weighting techniques, as part of the collection and analysis of the Status of Forces survey results.

"GAO-10-751R."

Includes bibliographical references.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Reader.