Discussion of “How Errors Cumulate: Two Examples” by Roger Tourangeau

Abstract

Researchers have the ongoing task of improving total survey quality (TSQ). Dr. Roger Tourangeau, winner of the 2019 Morris Hansen award, argues that factors affecting TSQ are not necessarily independent, and their effects could compound poor quality. In this article, I highlight a few aspects of “How Errors Cumulate” related to study design, weighting, and estimation involving nonprobability surveys. Here, I argue for the potential benefits of hybrid estimation, involving probability and nonprobability survey data, to address multiple error sources.