ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the impact of topic on probability of response. Some of the richest investigations of nonresponse result from studies dealing with samples selected from the membership of organizations. Length of service predicted response among retired YMCA secretaries surveyed by Britton and Britton, and Rosenthal and Rosnow discovered nearly a dozen studies, mainly surveys, where strong 'organizational bonds' entailed high cooperation rates. The tabulation first records unadjusted, or actual, response rates, then two adjusted rates. The partial-adjustment estimates response after equalizing for number of contacts, sponsorship, special third contacts and cash incentives. The unadjusted figures show the near-captive populations to average the highest response, at 70.4 per cent, followed by organizations, at 64.8 per cent, with general and 'other nongeneral, at 48.1 and 55.9 per cent respectively. The near-independence of rank from the two dimensions of involvement ensures that only a fraction of the overall effect of status on response behaviour is generated through involvement.
