Tailored Panel Management

Abstract

Many psychological processes unfold over time, necessitating longitudinal research designs. Longitudinal research poses a host of methodological challenges, foremost of which is participant attrition. Building on Dillman’s work, we provide a review of how social influence and relationship research informs retention strategies in longitudinal studies. Objective: We introduce the tailored panel management (TPM) approach, which is designed to establish communal norms that increase commitment to a longitudinal study, and this commitment, in turn, increases response rates and buffers against attrition. Specifically, we discuss practices regarding compensation, communication, consistency, and credibility that increase longer term commitment to panel participation. Research design: Throughout the article, we describe how TPM is being used in a national longitudinal study of undergraduate minority science students. TheScienceStudy is a continuing panel, which has 12 waves of data collected across 6 academic years, with response rates ranging from 70% to 92%. Although more than 90% of participants have either left or graduated from their undergraduate degree program, this highly mobile group of people remains engaged in the study. TheScienceStudy has usable longitudinal data from 96% of the original panel. Conclusion: This article combines social psychological theory, current best practice, and a detailed case study to illustrate the TPM approach to longitudinal data collection. The approach provides guidance for other longitudinal researchers, and advocates for empirical research into longitudinal research methodologies.

Demographic and Psychological Predictors of Panel Attrition: Evidence from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study

“…Estrada et al [ 24 ] suggested that panels can be seen as a form of social community. As such, those with a low sense of belonging may recognise this and participate to bolster their sense of belongingness.…”

“…Indeed, social processes are central to many theories on panel management. Estrada, Woodcock, and Wesley Schultz [ 24 ], for example, have developed Tailored Panel Management (TPM) as an approach to longitudinal research design that emphasizes the ‘communal exchange’ between researcher and participant. They suggest that the panel represents a social community and that participation is an act of reciprocity built on established norms (that is, responding at the researcher’s request).…”

Diversifying Science

“…Participants completed baseline measures in 2005 and have completed online surveys twice per year concerning their educational/career status and aspirations, academic performance, and a number of psychological measures, including their perceived level of stereotype threat and achievement goal orientations. Survey response rates range from 68% to 84% (Estrada, Woodcock, & Schultz, 2014). We collected data for all variables at each point in time (see Online Supplemental Materials for treatment of missing data).…”

The science identity and entering a science occupation

“… 1 The sample was recruited and maintained by the Tailored Panel Management (TPM) design, a methodology developed to manage longitudinal research designs (Estrada, Woodcock and Schultz 2014). TPM is designed to increase response rates and reduce attrition of panel participants by increasing the participant's commitment to the study.…”