Abstract:

This paper argues that truly active and fully beneficial panel management can only be achieved by identifying and exploring the various factors affecting response rates. Not only is a pragmatic approach to response rates the cornerstone of successful panel management, it is the only way to avoid red herrings in online panel management. The recommendations should reassure panel managers that, by constantly measuring these indicators and evaluating the opportunities to build a strong panel management tool, response rates can be efficiently improved in the long run.