Household Interview Surveys
- In-person surveys where a trained interviewer visits a household to collect information from one or more residents.
- Typically structured with predetermined questions and response options to elicit specific information.
- Responses are treated as confidential and can be used to measure population, housing, health, nutrition, and other topic-specific characteristics.
Definition
Section titled “Definition”A household interview survey is a type of survey that is conducted by interviewing individuals within a household. The goal of a household interview survey is to collect data on a particular topic or set of topics from individuals within a household in order to understand their attitudes, behaviors, and opinions on those topics.
Explanation
Section titled “Explanation”Household interview surveys commonly share these features:
- The survey is conducted in person, by a trained interviewer who visits the household and conducts the interview with the individual(s) within the household.
- The survey is structured, meaning that it follows a predetermined set of questions and response options that are designed to elicit specific information from the individual(s) being interviewed.
- The survey is confidential, meaning that the individual(s) being interviewed are not required to provide their names or any other identifying information, and their responses are kept private and anonymous.
The specific format and content of a household interview survey depend on the goals and objectives of the survey, and there are many different types of household interview surveys tailored to different topics.
Examples
Section titled “Examples”U.S. Census Bureau
Section titled “U.S. Census Bureau”The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a household interview survey every ten years in order to collect data on the population and housing characteristics of the United States. The survey is designed to provide information on the number and characteristics of people living in the country, including their age, race, gender, and other demographic information.
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Section titled “National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)”The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a household interview survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in order to collect data on the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population. The survey is designed to provide information on the prevalence of chronic diseases and other health conditions, as well as individuals’ dietary habits and physical activity levels.
Related terms
Section titled “Related terms”- U.S. Census Bureau
- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)