title: Balancing quality and cost for Adult Tobacco Telephone Surveys.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the ability to cost-effectively coordinate Adult Tobacco Survey stakeholder interests while reducing the risk of potential bias.
  
  
  METHODS
  Key smoking indicators were compared across 2 surveys and analyzed based on modifications to calling protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mixed results were found when comparing smoking rates across 2 surveys, by early, mid, and late respondents, and by the number of rufusals. Significant cost sayings can be obtained by reducing the number of telephone call attempts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Few significant differences may encourage reductions in protocol, but this must be weighed against the possibility of cost-saving measures resulting in biased estimates.
authors.affiliation: ORC Macro, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. Barbara.M.Fernandez@orcmacro.com
authors.forename: Barbara M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Kristie M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hannah
authors.forename: Randal S Zu
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Wallack
authors.forename: Jennifer K D
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gorrigan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mariolis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015982:Bias; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D045808:Refusal to Participate; D012107:Research Design; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000191:economics; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013689:Telephone / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology