Mode effect analysis in the case of daily passenger mobility survey

Abstract

In the autumn 2017, The Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SURS) has conducted for the first time a survey on daily passenger mobility of Slovenian residents. The key statistics are on persons’ daily traveling habits, such as number of trips, travelled distance, time spent on traveling, and so on. Two independent samples were selected for the simultaneous collection of data by two modes, face-to-face interview (CAPI) and online questionnaire (WEB). The goal of this study is to identify the possible sources of mode measurement errors, with the objective to better design and thus improve the whole data collection process. The detailed mode effect analysis is performed by the comparison of the key statistic estimates and the use of regression models. Usually the measurement mode effect is an issue in surveys on the more sensitive topics or persons’ opinions. This work points out that, first, the mode measurement effect can be an issue also in a more factual survey content, and second, the corresponding statistical data processes can have an important contribution to minimising measurement errors. The results show that WEB respondents are inclined to join two or more trips into one reported, which gives lower estimate of average number of daily trips. The main reason is the demanding questionnaire content. Additionally, the complex data editing process was still insufficient to correct completely for such measurement error. The possible improvements of the data collection process are also discussed.