Section B The CBR Academic Surveys 2008/9 and 2015
This section discusses methodological issues related to the two CBR academic surveys. This includes information on sampling and non-response bias.
Coverage, Sampling and Response The CBR academic surveys of 2008/9 and 2015 were not originally designed to produce a panel survey but rather as a stand-alone survey of the full population of academics in the UK. The sampling frame in each case included all academics active in teaching and/or research in each sample period in all disciplines in all UK HEIs. For each survey lists of academics in all departments and faculties were manually collected from the websites of UK HEI. This email directory provided the sampling frame to which a web-based questionnaire was addressed in each case. Both surveys were conducted online. The 2008/9 survey frame identified 125,900 valid email addresses and received 21,598 valid responses (response rate of 17%). The 2015 survey frame identified 131,088 valid email addresses and received 18,177 responses (response rate of 14%). Exhibit 1 gives an overview over survey responses. Comprehensive non-response analyses were performed on both surveys. A small bias towards older and slightly more engaged academics was found.
Exhibit 1
Academic survey response 2008/9 and 2015 surveys 2008/9
Total Sample*
%
2015
126,120
140,312
220
8,422
Â
802
220
9,224
125,900
131,088
867
162
21,598
18,177
%
Less: No Longer at Institution/Undeliverable Not Eligible
Total Surveyed Sample Not Eligible Responses** Complete Responses Response Rate [complete responses]
17.3
13.9
* The sample consists of all HEIs in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. ** Responses were excluded because the survey indicated inactivity through e.g. retirement or the respondents were students or administrative staff and as such not eligible to participate.
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