OBJECTIVE: Assess the impact of survey non-response and non-completion for a campus climate survey. PARTICIPANTS: Intended for all degree-seeking students at a large, public, midwestern university, November 2014.
METHODS: The survey covered sexual assault experiences and related attitudes. We identify the magnitude and potential impact of survey non-response by comparing demographic data between respondents and non-respondents, sexual assault prevalence between early and late respondents, and demographic and attitudinal data between survey completers and partial completers.
RESULTS: Demographic groups were differentially represented in the survey. Sexual assault prevalence based on survey results may be underestimated for men, overestimated for women. Sensitive questions did not increase drop-off. Students completing more of the survey differed from those completing less.
CONCLUSIONS: Colleges must plan survey administration and data sensitivity analysis to reduce potential for bias. Resources for sexual assault-related needs based on estimates from campus climate surveys with high non-response will likely be misallocated.
Language: en
Keywords
Campus climate; sexual assault; survey non-response