Summary
In panel studies on sensitive topics very often codes generated by the respondents themselves are used for linking records between repeated data collections. The existing literature on such self-generated panel codes reports considerable loss of respondents due to instability of the generated codes. We want to experiment with different coding schemes and matching algorithms. We will examine conditions for stability of these codes by the use of an access panel. Furthermore, we will test recent suggestions of computer scientists for password strategies and so called security challenges for their application in panel surveys.

Publications
Schnell,R., Bachteler,T. & Reiher,J. (2010): Improving the use of self-generated identification codes; in: Evaluation Review 34 (5) 391-418. [PDF] [bibtex]

Staff
Prof. Dr. Rainer Schnell (Project Head)
Tobias Bachteler, M.A.
Evelyn Stoll, Simon Kühne (Student assistants)

Contact
panelcodes@uni-due.de

Funding
The project is part of the DFG Priority Programme 1292 on Survey Methodology.