Using a Seeded Sample to Measure Response among Homeschooling Households

Abstract

Using a Seeded Sample to Measure Response among Homeschooling Households Estimates of the size of the homeschooling population derived from government-sponsored surveys have been questioned because of concerns that homeschooling families may be less willing to participate in government studies. To estimate whether the response propensity of homeschooling households differs from that of non-homeschooling households, a sample of likely homeschooling households was seeded in a federal education survey. Cases in the seeded sample were treated to the same field procedures as the survey's sample to allow comparisons of the two samples' response patterns. While the seeded sample is an excellent method, in theory, for examining response propensity, the study revealed significant practical problems in implementing the study.