Nonresponse in the recruitment of an internet panel based on a probability sample

In this paper we study the selectivity in the recruitment of respondents for one of CentERdata’s Internet panels (the CentERpanel). This recruitment is based on a probability sample. It involves three stages: participation to a first telephone interview, willing to be re-contacted and final agreement to participate in the Internet panel. We distinguish selectivity with regard to age and income in all stages and with pc-ownership in the latter two stages only.