The candidates for the 2012 DC-AAPOR Council are:
President
Jennifer Hunter Child, U.S. Census Bureau
Stephen Blumberg, National Center for Health Statistics
Treasurer
Sarah Dipko, Westat
Kathleen Kephart, U.S. Census Bureau
Membership Chair
Daniel Hoicowitz, U.S. Census Bureau
Wendy Hicks, Westat
Program Chair
Kenneth Pick, Energy Information Administration
Morgan Earp, National Agriculture Statistical Service
A biographical sketch of the candidates follows.
Jennifer Hunter Child
Candidate for President
Current position: Research Psychologist, Center for Survey Measurement, U.S.
Census Bureau
Started: 2002
Former Positions: Survey Statistician, Statistical Research Division, U.S. Census
Bureau
Field(s) of Interest: Survey and census coverage, cognitive and other qualitative
testing methodologies
National & Local AAPOR activities (e.g., conference presentations, committees,
offices held):
2006: DC-AAPOR Secretary
2010:
Childs, J.H., Terry, R., and Jurgenson, N. (2010). Measuring Race and Hispanic
Origin: Cognitive Test Findings Searching for “Truth.” 2010 JSM Proceedings,
Survey Research Section. Alexandria, VA: ASA
Childs, J.H., and Sorokin, A. (2010). Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns of
Respondents Who May Have Been Counted Twice in the Census. Paper
presented at the 63rd Annual Conference of the WAPOR.
2009:
Childs, J. H., Romano, J. Olmsted-Hawala, E., and Murphy, E. (2009).
Concurrent Cognitive and Usability Testing: Taking Full Advantage of Pretesting
Methodologies. Paper presented at the American Association of Public Opinion
Research in Hollywood, Florida.
2008:
Childs, J. H. (2008). Gathering Data from Non-Responders. Paper presented at
the American Association of Public Opinion Research Annual Conference, New
Orleans, LA, May 16, 2008.
Goerman, P. L., Childs, J.H., and Clifton, M. (2008). Explaining Differences in
Inter-coder Reliability between English and Spanish Language Behavior Coding
Research. Paper presented at the American Association of Public Opinion
Research Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, May 17, 2008.
Nichols, E., Childs, J.H., and Linse, K. (2008). RDD versus Site Test: Mode
Effects on Gathering a Household Roster and Alternate Addresses. Paper
presented at the American Association of Public Opinion Research Annual
Conference, New Orleans, LA, May 17, 2008.
Norris, D.R., Childs, J.H., and Nichols, E. (2008) Enhancing Validity and
Reliability of Data Gathered by Paper-Administered Personal Interview
Questionnaires. Paper presented at the American Association of Public Opinion
Research Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, May 17, 2008
2007:
Childs, J.H., DeMaio, T., Gerber, E., Hill, J. M. Martin, E. A. (2007). Asking
Questions in Multimode Surveys: An Overview of 30 Guidelines. Poster
presented at the American Association for Public Opinion Research, May 18,
2007.
Nichols, E., and Childs, J. H. (2007). Respondent Debriefings Conducted by
Experts: A new qualitative methodology for questionnaire evaluation. Paper
presented at the American Association for Public Opinion Research, May 19,
2007.
2006:
Childs, J. H., and Landreth, A.D. (2006). Bilingual Behavior Coding in Practice.
Paper presented at the American Association of Public Opinion Research Annual
Meeting.
2005:
Hunter, J. & Landreth, A. (2005). Person-Based Data Collection in Practice: An
Evaluation of Interviewer/Respondent Interactions. Paper presented at the
Annual Conference of the American Association for Public Opinion Research.
May 15, 2005.
Landreth, A. & Hunter, J. (2005). First-level interactions and final response
outcomes: Adding value to behavior coding. Poster presented at the Annual
Conference of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. May 13,
2005.
2004:
Hunter, J. (2004). The Search for an Appropriate Measure of Cohabitation. Paper
presented at the Annual Conference of the American Association for Public
Opinion Research. May 15, 2004.
2003:
Hunter, J. (2003). The Impact of Senior Housing Arrangements on Demographic
Surveys. Poster presentation at the Annual Conference of the American
Association for Public Opinion Research, May 16, 2003.
Related professional activities (e.g., membership/office in sister associations):
I have also been a member of the American Statistical Association, Washington
Statistical Society, and the American Psychological Association. I have presented at the
Joint Statistical Meetings, the American Psychological Association meetings, as well as
a number of international survey research conferences. Since I began at the Census
Bureau, I have presented survey research at about 2 conferences a year.
Degrees:
2002 – MS, Cognitive Psychology, University of Maryland
2000 – BA, Psychology, Shepherd College
Favorite thing about belonging to AAPOR: This will be my ninth year as an AAPOR
member and national conference attendee. National AAPOR is an event that I always
look forward too – so much so that I brought my family to Chicago during my maternity
leave last year so I wouldn’t miss out! I recommend AAPOR, and particularly DCAAPOR, to all new staff members as a great way to meet people with similar interests. I
love seeing familiar faces and meeting new people at each and every event.
Stephen J. Blumberg
Candidate for President
Current position: Research Statistician and Senior Scientist, Division of Health
Interview Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Started: 1997
Fields of Interest: Wireless substitution and coverage bias in telephone surveys;
measurement and psychometrics; ethics of survey research; and survey strategies for
identifying vulnerable populations (especially children with special health care needs)
National & Local AAPOR activities:
2008 – 2010: Member, National AAPOR Executive Council
Standards Chair, 2009 – 2010
Associate Standards Chair, 2008 – 2009
2003 – 2010: Member, National AAPOR Task Forces
Strategic Planning Task Force, 2010
Task Force on Online Panel Surveys, 2008 – 2010
Task Force on Cell Phone Surveying Guidelines, 2007 – 2010
Task Force on Institutional Review Boards, 2003 – 2004
2007 – 2008: National AAPOR Conference Committee
Co-chair, Program Subcommittee, Cell Phone Surveying Track, 2007
Author of 20 papers presented at the National AAPOR conference since 2000
Presenter at 3 DC-AAPOR “Brown Bags” and Workshops since 2008
“Current state of telephony in the U.S.”
“Mysteries of the AAPOR Code: What it is and what happens if someone
violates it”
“The prevalence of wireless substitution and its impact on random-digit-dial
health surveys of young adults and adults in poverty”
Related professional activities:
2006 – 2011: Chair, Research Ethics Review Board, NCHS
2011:
Co-chair, Tenth Conference on Health Survey Research Methods
(HSRM)
2007:
Steering Committee member, Ninth Conference on HSRM
Degrees:
1997: PhD, Social Psychology and Quantitative Methods, University of Texas at Austin
1994: MA, Social Psychology, University of Texas at Austin
1992: BA, Psychology, University of Virginia
Favorite thing(s) about belonging to AAPOR: Our core professional, scientific, and
ethical values remain strong even as our technologies, sociopolitical climates, and
survey response propensities change. This results in remarkable collegiality among
members, regardless of their seniority, and a notable openness with which members
share their theoretical insights and practical solutions. AAPOR and DC-AAPOR are
great places to call “home.”
Sarah Dipko
Candidate for Treasurer
Current position: Survey Methodologist and Senior Study Director, Telephone
Research and Data Management Centers, Westat
Started: 2004
Former Positions:
Associate Director of the Practicum, Joint Program in Survey Methodology (JPSM),
University of Maryland-College Park
Research Analyst, Survey Operations Group, Westat
Graduate Research Assistant, JPSM, University of Maryland-College Park
Research Associate, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Research Assistant, American Symphony Orchestra League
Field(s) of Interest: responsive designs, telephone survey methodology, cell phone
samples/surveys, nonresponse, address-based sampling (ABS), multi-mode designs,
mode effects, survey paradata, tracing, survey methodology as an academic
discipline/field
National & Local AAPOR activities (e.g., conference presentations, committees,
offices held):
Ad Hoc Reviewer, Public Opinion Quarterly (2006-present)
2003-2004: DC-AAPOR Program Committee member
Dipko, S., and Freedman, K. (2009). Cell phone reverse directories: Promise or peril?
Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Public Opinion
Research, Hollywood, FL.
Dipko, S., Levin, K., Forsyth, B., Stark, D., and Risler, M. (2007). A case of positives
outweighing negatives: Examining mixed effects of advance letters in a list sample
telephone survey of low-income taxpayers. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the
American Association for Public Opinion Research, Anaheim, CA.
Dipko, S., Brick, J.M., and Brick, P.D. (2005). An investigation of response differences
between cell phone and landline interviews. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the
American Association for Public Opinion Research, Miami Beach, FL.
Yuan, A.Y., Allen, B., Brick, J.M., Dipko, S., Presser, S., Tucker, C., Han, D., Burns, L.,
and Galesic, M. (2005). Surveying cell phone households—Results and lessons?
Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Public Opinion
Research, Miami Beach, FL.
Dipko, S.M. (2002). Public estimates of the percent of U.S. adults 65 and older with a
disability: Exploring false consciousness of kind among the elderly. Presented at the
Annual Meeting of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, St. Pete
Beach, FL.
Groves, R.M., Presser, S., and Dipko, S. (2001). The role of topic interest in survey
participation decisions. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for
Public Opinion Research, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Cunningham, P., Cantor, D., Giambo, P., and Dipko, S. (1998). Assessing a nontraditional approach to interviewing randomly selected respondents on a telephone
survey. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Public Opinion
Research, St. Louis, MO.
Mathiowetz, N.A., and Dipko, S.M. (1997). A comparison of response error by
adolescents and adults. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association
for Public Opinion Research, Norfolk, VA.
Related professional activities (e.g., membership/office in sister associations):
Washington Statistical Society Outstanding Graduate Student Award, 1995
Cantor, D., Dipko, S., Fry, S., Giambo, P., and Narayanan, V. (2007). Developing
Satisfaction Surveys: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Information. Presented at
the Third International Conference on Establishment Surveys, Montreal, Canada.
Brick, J.M., Dipko, S., Presser, S., Tucker, C., and Yuan, Y. (2005). Methods of
surveying all households with telephone service. Presented at the Joint Statistical
Meetings, Minneapolis, MN.
Dipko, S.M. (2003). The Consumer Expenditure Diary Survey using WebTV. Presented
at FEDCASIC Session WA-2, Design and Implementation of Web Surveys, Washington,
DC.
Degrees:
B.A., Sociology, Wesleyan University, 1988
M.S., Survey Methodology, University of Maryland at College Park, 1996
Favorite thing about belonging to AAPOR: The strong community of wonderful and
motivated people all facing the same nonresponse, coverage, and measurement
challenges; hearing of results from novel approaches to addressing these challenges;
mentoring the next generation of survey methodologists.
Kathleen Kephart
Candidate for Treasurer
Current position: Mathematical Statistician , US Census BureauDecennial Census Evaluations
Started: August, 2009
Former Positions:
Intern, Gesis-ZUMA Mannheim Germany (Summer 2008)
Research Assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Gallup Research Center
(2007-2009)
Research Assistant, Center for Interdisciplinary Research St. Olaf College (2004-2007)
Field(s) of Interest: Improving the efficiency and quality of data provided to policy
makers; sampling frame quality; the use of administrative data in survey research; and
cross cultural survey research.
National & Local AAPOR activities (e.g., conference presentations,
committees, offices held): I joined AAPOR in 2007, along with MAPOR and attended
my first MAPOR Survey Research conference in Chicago that year. I presented at
AAPOR in 2008 and 2009, as well as the International Workshop on Comparative
Survey Design and Implementation (CSDI) in 2009.
Papers and Presentations:
Kephart, K.; Kaminska, O.; Rao, K.; Bilgen, I. (2008, May). Mode, Measurement, and
Mayhem: A Closer Look at Measurement Error in a Mixed Mode Study. Presented at
annual meeting of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, New Orleans,
LA.
Kephart, K.; Malaktaris, A.; Huff, C. (2006, November).Religion and Politics Two Cocktail
Party Killers: An Analysis of Moral Decision Making. Poster session presented at PEW
Research Center Undergraduate Research Conference Chicago, IL.
Harkness, J.; Villar, A.; Kephart, K.; Behr, D.; Schoua-Glusberg, A. (May 2009).
Research on Translation Assessment Procedures: Back Translation and Expert Review.
Paper presented at Annual American Association for Public Opinion Research meeting,
Hollywood, FL.
Hoffrenning, D.; Malaktaris, A.; Kephart, K. (2007, April). Explaining the Politics of
Clergy. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science
Association, Chicago, IL.
Halberstadt, S.; Kephart, K.; Colby, C.; Huff, C. (2006, April).Morality and Statistics: The
Odd Couple. Poster session presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate
Research, Ashville, NC.
Manlove, K.; Kephart, K.; Trapp, A.; Wetzel, J.; Legler, J. (2005, April). Examining the
Global Obesity Epidemic using Statistical and Epidemiological Methods. Poster session
presented at the Council for Undergraduate Research Poster on the Hill Session,
Washington D.C..
Related professional activities (e.g., membership/office in sister
associations):
Helped develop the program schedule by contacting authors and session chairs for the
International Conference on Survey Methods in Multi-national Multi-regional Multicultural Contexts (3M), Berlin 2008.
Degrees:
2007, BA Mathematics (Concentration in Statistics and Political Science), St. Olaf
College
2009, MS Survey Research (Concentration in Statistics), University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Favorite thing about belonging to AAPOR: I became a statistician/survey researcher
because I enjoy learning about different fields and interacting with people across
numerous disciplines. AAPOR provides a wonderful forum to continue the very
discussions that started me on this career path. It fosters an environment of sharing that
is beneficial for both profit and non-profit organizations.
Daniel Hoicowitz
Candidate for Membership Chair
Current position:
Mathematical Statistician, US Census Bureau
Started: 2009
Former Positions: Research Assistant, Sociology Department, Georgetown University
Economic Consultant, ACDIC/VOCA
Field(s) of Interest: Uses of administrative records (i.e, Social Security, Medicare, IRS
records) in survey methodology.
National & Local AAPOR activities (e.g., conference presentations, committees,
offices held):
November 2009. “Understanding the Error Between Earned Value from the Current
Population Survey - Annual Social and Economic Supplement and Gross Wages and
Taxable Wages from IRS W2 Administrative Data.” Georgetown University, Washington,
DC.
Related professional activities (e.g., membership/office in sister associations):
Co-Chair of Science Fair Committee of the Washington Statistical Society
Member of American Association for Public Opinion Research
Member of American Statistical Association (ASA)
Degrees:
2006 BS Economics, American University
2008 MA Economics, American University
2010 MS Mathematics and Statistics, Georgetown University
Favorite thing about belonging to AAPOR:
Meeting and learning from other individuals who share an interest in public opinion and
survey research in its many uses.
Wendy Hicks
Candidate for Membership Chair
Current position:
Senior Survey Methodologist, Westat, Inc.
Started: January, 2007
Former Positions:
Chief, American Community Survey Methods Staff, U.S. Census Bureau, 2004 – Dec.
2006
Mathematical Statistician, U.S. Census Bureau, 1998 – 2004
Research Psychologist, U.S. Census Bureau, 1991-1998
Field(s) of Interest: Survey paradata and survey costs; Questionnaire design and
pretesting; Evaluating, measuring and reducing measurement error
National & Local AAPOR activities (e.g., conference presentations, committees,
offices held):
I’ve been a member of the National and Local AAPOR chapter since early 1990’s. While
I’ve never yet had the privilege of serving in an office, each year I’ve look forward to the
opportunity to review abstracts submitted for consideration at the National conference.
I’ve attended more AAPOR conferences that I can count, and place great importance on
the annual conference as a unique opportunity to learn from and exchange ideas with so
many others in the field.
Recent AAPOR conference presentations and publications –
McBride, B., Tourangeau, K., Hicks, W., Branden, L., Edwards, B., Harris-Kojetin, W.,
and Moss, A. (2009). Using paradata on an establishment survey to guide interviewer
training and interviewer behavior. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American
Association for Public Opinion Research, Hollywood, FL.
Hicks, W., Edwards, B., Tourangeau, K., McBride, B., Harris-Kojetin, L., and Moss, A.
(2008). CARI: A tool for improving data quality now and the next time. Presented at the
Annual Meeting of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, New Orleans,
LA.
Hicks, W., Edwards, B., Tourangeau, K., McBride, B., Harris-Kojetin, L., and Moss, A.
(2010) “Using CARI Tools to Understand Measurement Error” Public Opinion Quarterly,
vol. 74, No. 5 pp. 985-1003
Beatty, P., Hicks, W., Schmeidler, E., and Kirchner, C. (2004) “Investigating Question
Meaning and Context Through In-depth Interviews.” Quality & Quantity: International
Journal of Methodology, vol.38, no. 4, pp. 367-379.
Related professional activities (e.g., membership/office in sister associations):
I am a current member of the following organizations:
American Association for Public Opinion Research
DC Association for Public Opinion Research
American Statistical Association
Chair, 2010, International Total Survey Error Workshop
Conference Committee Member, 2011 International Total Survey Error Workshop
Reviewer, Journal of Official Statistics
Reviewer, Public Opinion Quarterly
Degrees:
M.S., Survey Methodology, JPSM, University of Maryland (1996)
BS, Psychology, Vanderbilt University (1990)
Favorite thing about belonging to AAPOR:
I really, really enjoy the enthusiasm of AAPOR members for the field of survey research,
and their willingness (actually, eagerness) to embrace other associated fields. I love the
collegial atmosphere, and the sharing of our experiences across government, private
sector and academic environments. I’ve worked in both government and private sector
survey organizations and have experienced how those different environments provide
different perspectives and different applications for survey methods. AAPOR provides a
forum for us to share our different experiences, and learn from one another in a noncompetitive, mutually beneficial way. And it provides a great time to get back in touch
with busy friends and colleagues!
Ken Pick
Candidate for Program Chair
Current Position: Survey Methodologist, Office of Survey Development and Statistical
Integration, U.S. Energy Information Administration
Started: January 2011
Former Positions:
Survey Methodologist, Response Improvement Research Staff, U.S. Census Bureau
Survey Methodologist, Mandala Research
Research Manager, Department of Public Policy, University of Connecticut
Director of Syndicated Research, Global Market Insite (GMI)
Field(s) of Interest: form design, nonresponse, paradata, cognitive and usability testing
National & Local AAPOR Activities (e.g., conference presentations, committees,
offices held):
2010: “Considering Complementary Evaluation Methods to Augment Cognitive
Techniques during Pre-testing of Establishment Surveys” poster presentation at the
American Association of Public Opinion Research Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
2008-Present: DC AAPOR Member
Related professional Activities (e.g., membership/office in sister associations):
2010: “Experimenting with Pre-Contact Strategies for Reducing Nonresponse in an
Economic Survey” co-authored with Alfred D. Tuttle, Jeri Mulrow and Richard Hough at
the Joint Statistical Meetings, Vancouver, Canada.
DC-UPA (Usability Professionals Association)
ESOMAR (European Society for Opinion and Market Research)
Degrees:
2004 BA Communications and Political Science, University of Washington
2009 MA Survey Research, University of Connecticut
Favorite thing about belonging to AAPOR: I enjoy the collegial atmosphere of
AAPOR. I especially enjoy meeting other professionals in the industry, sharing ideas and
learning how others make a difference in their organizations.
Morgan Earp
Candidate for Program Chair
Current positions:
Mathematical Statistician, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Adjunct Professor, George Washington University
Started: 2006
Field(s) of Interest: Nonresponse bias, response propensity, and incentives
National & Local AAPOR activities (e.g., conference presentations, committees,
offices held):
2009-2011: American Association for Public Opinion Research - Member
2010:
Who is Responsible for the Bias? Using Classification Trees to Identify
Subgroups of Likely Nonrespondents and Assessing their Relationship to Key Survey
Estimates Using Structural Equation Modeling. American Association for Public Opinion
Research. Chicago, IL
2009:
Efficient Allocation of Survey Incentives Using Survey Response Prediction
Models. American Association for Public Opinion Research. Hollywood, FL
Related professional activities (e.g., membership/office in sister associations):
2008-2011: American Statistical Association - Member
2008-2011: Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology, Interagency Group on
Establishment Nonresponse - Member
2010-2011: Journal of Official Statistics – Referee
2010: The Effect of Calibration on Nonresponse Bias in the 2008 ARMS Phase III
Sample Using Census 2007 Data. Joint Statistical Meetings. Vancouver, BC Canada
2009: An Assessment of the Effect of Calibration on Nonresponse Bias in the 2006
Agricultural Resource Management Survey. Joint Statistical Meetings. Washington, DC
2009: Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology “Workshop on How to Do
Nonresponse Bias Analyses in Household and Establishment Surveys” - Planning
Committee Member and Session Chair
2008: Assessing the Effect of Calibration on Nonresponse Bias in the 2005 ARMS
Phase III Sample Using 2002 Census of Agriculture Data. Joint Statistical Meetings.
Denver, CO
Degrees:
PhD Quantitative Research Methods, University of Denver – 2007
MA International Administration, University of Denver – 2002
BA International Studies, University of Denver - 2002
Favorite thing about belonging to AAPOR: The numerous opportunities for sharing
research, methodology, experience, and memories with people who love what they do.