On robust causality nonresponse testing in duration studies under the Cox model

High survey nonresponse in unemployment duration studies may have a strong effect on inference if the so called causal mechanism is present. A robust method of testing the causal nonresponse is proposed for data sets where survey information can be combined with complete administrative records. It is assumed that population distribution follows approximately the Cox regression model. Formal justification of the method and a comparative simulation study are included. Copyright The Author(s) 2014