‘I Prefer Not to Respond’ Survey Responses: Red Flag or Red Herring?

One increasing trend in demographic survey items is to include a “prefer not to respond” (PNR) option, particularly for items that might be considered sensitive information. This mixed-methods study uses data from the 2023 administration of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to explore whether the frequency of selecting this option is related to substantive survey content, in this case other aspects of the student experience. Quantitative results suggest small but statistically significant negative relationships between PNR frequency and all Engagement Indicators. There are also negative relationships for belonging, satisfaction, self-reported grades, and intent to return, as well as a positive relationship for age. To explore potential motivation for PNR response, qualitative thematic analysis of final open-ended responses for students with high PNR was conducted. This revealed several themes, including: disapproval of demographic items themselves; hostility toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); institutional distrust; and conversely also some praise for professors and certain institutional experiences. Potential reasons for these patterns, along with implications for institutional and survey research professionals, are also discussed.