The Efficacy of Cues in an Expenditure Diary

Nhien To, Eric Figueroa, and Lucilla Tan are research economists in the Branch of Research and Program Development, Division of Consumer Expenditure Surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics. NHIEN TO ERIC FIGUEROA LUCILLA TAN In designing any survey, it is important to provide respondents with clear instructions and examples. Self-administered expenditure diaries often use cues as examples, not only to aid recall, but also to prompt the respondent as to what types of expenses to record and how those expenses should be recorded. This cognitive study investigates how cues should be used in an expenditure diary to instruct respondents to record their expenses completely and accurately.