Contextualization of Survey Data: What Do We Gain and Does It Matter?

摘要: Survey research designs that integrate contextual data have become more prevalent in recent decades, presumably to enable a refined focus on the person as unit of analysis and greater emphasis interindividual differences due social forces conditions. This article reviews varied approaches contextualizing survey examines value linking two sources respondent information: interviewer ratings neighborhood information (measured via census tracts). The utility an integrative approach is illustrated with from Health Retirement Study. results reveal modest gains by using contextualized but also demonstrate neglecting factors may lead misdirected substantive conclusions, especially for older racial ethnic minorities. To enhance ecological validity data, investigators should select theoretically-meaningful specific questions consider cross-level interact...