Troldahl-Carter-Bryant Respondent Selection Method

Researchers often desire a probability method of selecting respondents within households after drawing a probability sample of households. Ideally, they wish to simultaneously maximize response rates (by [Page 909]gaining the respondent's cooperation) and within-unit coverage (by obtaining an accurate listing of all eligible persons in a household). However, they need to balance these two goals because no selection technique is perfect at accomplishing both. In the early history of telephone surveys, one procedure that was considered easy, quick, and likely to improve respondent cooperation was known as the Troldahl-Carter method, to which Barbara Bryant later suggested some modifications. Face-to-face surveys commonly used the Kish technique, which asks for a listing of all men and all women in the household, ranked by age.

Verling Troldahl and Roy ...