An Evaluation of Nonresponse Adjustment Cells for the Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) 1

Despite intensive efforts to maximize participation in household sample surveys, most surveys experience some level of nonresponse. Nonresponse in sample surveys can lead to potential bias of population estimates. In household surveys, there are two kinds of nonresponse: Aunit@ or Atotal@ nonresponse and Aitem@ nonresponse. Unit nonresponse occurs when a sample household fails to respond to the survey. Item nonresponse occurs when a respondent fails to answer a specific survey question or questions. For both types of nonresponse, potential bias in the survey estimates can result, especially if nonresponding units differ from responding units according to specific characteristics.