Abstract:

This paper describes a cross-sectional analysis of three people meter panels in Canada, one of which has been operating since 1997. With no formal 'forced turnover' policy, BBM Canada is ideally suited to examining 'time in panel' or 'panel fatigue' effects on a panel containing households of both long and short tenure. The cross-sectional analysis reveals no significant panel fatigue for adults, after controlling for other panel balance and control variables. Results for children, where fatigue is thought to be a bigger problem, are stronger but still not significant. Overall, interesting variations and consistencies across disaggregate models are produced including the positive relationship of the contact person, and the significant role of current panel control variables.