Survey Costs Workshop Tackles Impact of Cost-Driven Design on Data Quality

The upcoming Survey Costs Workshop on February 9–10, 2026, will convene leading experts to explore the impact of survey costs on data quality and error. This event will be held at the Westat Conference Center (7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814). Designed for survey organizations, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, the workshop is an opportunity to examine strategies for improving the quality and integrity of data collection efforts in an environment of escalating cost pressures. Westat joins the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the American Statistical Association (ASA) as a founding sponsor.

Registration is required and limited.

Workshop Goals and Structure

The Survey Costs Workshop is specifically designed to create a platform for discussion and research focused on estimating, measuring, and reporting costs, as well as their direct association with survey errors.

The 2-day event will feature:

• Invited and contributed presentations
• Panel discussions on key survey cost issues
• Networking opportunities

A key feature of the workshop will be extended opportunities for small-group discussion. These sessions will aim to outline a white paper detailing best practices and identifying areas for future research. This white paper is anticipated to be a major deliverable of the workshop, providing actionable guidance for both practitioners and researchers.