Meeting the Challenges of Designing the Kauffman Firm Survey: Sampling Frame, Definitions, Questionnaire Development, and Respondent Burden (Presentation)

Abstract

The challenges in designing the Kauffman Firm Survey (KFS) provided an opportunity to study and evaluate the methods for conducting establishment surveys. This paper highlights some of the noteworthy processes used during the design phase of the project, including setting up an advisory committee, conducting the literature review, developing the sample frame and design, developing criteria to define a "new business," and designing the questionnaire. Cognitive interviews were conducted, and pilot testing included experimenting with respondent incentives (pre- versus post-payments) and data collection mode (self-administered via the web versus telephone interviews). The KFS design process reinforced the value of spending time and resources to address key issues prior to the full-study implementation that required screening 32,500 sampled businesses to identify 4,930 eligible new businesses.

Keywords: business surveys, survey design, questionnaire design, methodological testing