Analysing survey nonresponse: how objectivity and geography affect response rate

Survey nonresponse rates are a growing issue, affecting the reliability of statistics. Nonresponses are typically handled by imputation or deletion, assuming randomness. However, respondents may avoid certain questions based on their subjectivity or measurability. This study explores nonresponse patterns in relation to the objectivity or subjectivity of variables. It finds that for highly subjective questions, like health status, respondents are more likely to choose ”don’t know,” while for objective questions, like age, they opt for ”prefer not to say.” These findings could help improve nonresponse assessment and boost response rates.