3.2 - Team Discussion: Representative Samples Team 2

For this discussion, our group found the American Housing Survey (AHS), which is a longitudinal survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau every two years covering various housing subjects throughout the United States (United States Census Bureau, 2022). The 2017 survey provides up-to-date information about the nations housing situation and the changes being implemented. The AHS Integrated National Sample survey was conducted between June 26 and October 30, 2017, and includes ten selected metropolitan areas (Healthy People 2030, n.d).

• How was the situation defined?

According to Healthy People 2030 (n.d.), the AHS covers many housing topics, including nation's housing inventory, vacancies, physical condition of housing units, characteristics of occupants, indicators of housing and neighborhood quality, mortgages and other housing costs, home values, and characteristics of recent movers.

• Who was surveyed?

According to Healthy People 2030 (n.d.), the AHS is a voluntary survey completed in-person or via telephone to all residential housing units, including houses and apartments, excluding group quarters, businesses, hotels, and motels.

• How many people were contacted?

As this is a voluntary survey they reach out to numerous residential units. Initially, HUD and U.S. Census Bureau selected 84,879 units for the 2017 AHS Integrated National Sample: however, due to factors such as ineligibilities (i.e., Units no longer existed, etc.), non-responses, refusals, or other factors, only 66,752 housing units from various residential housing were interviewed. The result generated an unweighted overall response rate of 80.5% and an 80.4% weighted overall response rate (Healthy People 2030, n.d).

• How was the sample taken?

The samples were taken using computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) laptops either in person or by phone (Healthy People 2030, n.d.).

• How were the questions worded?

This survey is typically a series of questions with many yes or no questions. According to Healthy People 2030 (n.d.), this survey aims to recognize trends, so it's beneficial to obtain surveys from previous participants to identify any changes over time. Additionally, the HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau occasionally make minor changes between surveys, which it highlights in its "Changes Between Surveys" document.

• Is there any ambiguity?

There is some ambiguity in the survey when asking the participant about the quality of their living situation, otherwise the questions are non-ambiguous.

For the purpose of this survey and how it is conducted, it's about as effective as it could be because it is a voluntary survey and so many factors can impact whether a potential participant is willing to participate. If a surveyor calls someone when theyre busy and unavailable versus while theyre free is a big factor. Also, the methodology uses each housing unit in the national sample as weighted to minimize sampling errors. As far as additional questions about what could be asked about a survey, they could include:

• How could the survey receive more responses?
• What demographic or physical location seems to participate in the survey?
• Are there additional methods for collecting responses that could increase the number of responses?
• Are the survey results anonymous?

Look forward to your responses!

Team 2 Members:

Zamir Alvarez

Matthew Moffett

Joseph Rassett

• Do you agree with the team responses to the questions and the evaluation of the sampling methodology? Explain the rational for your opinion?
• Critique the questions proposed for non-survey sampling. Do you have anything further to add (or subtract)? Explain your reasoning in your response.?

Note: please do not copy-paste please make sure you rephrase not just summaries if you take an example from other people.