Data Collection Methods Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a disadvantage of telephone surveys?

Nonresponse issues (correct)

Expensive to conduct

Inaccurate responses

High response rate

Which method of data collection is typically the quickest?

Mail survey

Direct administration

Personal interview

Internet survey (correct)

What is a significant advantage of direct administration surveys?

Anonymity for respondents

Reduced respondent bias

Cost-effectiveness

Short response time (correct)

What is a limitation of using email for surveys?

Necessity for a list of email addresses Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of data analysis in survey research?

Developing survey questions Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the advantages of conducting a telephone survey?

It provides quick results. Signup and view all the answers

Which data collection method has the highest response rate?

Personal interview Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following data collection methods generally requires training of the questioner?

Telephone survey Signup and view all the answers

Which method of data collection is noted for being the lowest in comparative cost?

Direct administration Signup and view all the answers

What is a major disadvantage of personal interviews as a data collection method?

Expense and need for training Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in data analysis during survey research?

Clean the questionnaires. Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of a threat to the validity of the instrumentation process in surveys?

Leading or insensitive questions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of question coding mentioned in survey research?

Fully open questions Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the results section of a survey research report?

Error structure Signup and view all the answers

In the context of threats to internal validity, what does 'mortality' refer to?

The loss of participants in longitudinal studies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can contribute to instrument decay during a survey?

Interviewers feeling rushed or tired Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant issue associated with non-response in survey research?

It may introduce bias in the results. Signup and view all the answers

What could potentially affect participant responses due to the location of data collection?

The physical environment where surveys are administered Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is part of the interpretation step in data analysis?

Looking for significant results Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT mentioned as a problem in the instrumentation process in surveys?

Inconsistent data collection methods Signup and view all the answers

What type of error occurs when a sample is drawn from a population but does not include all relevant elements?

Coverage error Signup and view all the answers

Which error is associated with inaccuracies in a respondent's answers?

Measurement error Signup and view all the answers

What is total nonresponse in survey research?

When a questionnaire is not returned at all Signup and view all the answers

In the context of surveys, what does nonresponse error imply?

A significant number of people do not respond and differ meaningfully. Signup and view all the answers

What was a contributing factor to the inaccurate predictions made by the Literary Digest in 1936?

Republicans were overrepresented in their sample. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a suggested method to increase the response rate in surveys?

Include a token of thanks with the initial questionnaire Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be a threat to the validity of survey responses?

Presence of extraneous events during the survey Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines sampling error?

Error arising from surveying only a portion of the population. Signup and view all the answers

What does item nonresponse refer to in survey research?

When respondents skip answering specific questions Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is NOT recommended to improve survey response rates?

Mailing surveys at different times to various groups Signup and view all the answers

What is one key characteristic of an effective questionnaire?

It should aim to gather factual data. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a property type that a respondent might specify?

Single-family home Signup and view all the answers

What should the wording of a questionnaire item ensure?

It is understandable and familiar to respondents. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for questionnaire information to be inaccessible to the investigator?

It justifies the time and effort involved in conducting the survey. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a closed-ended question in a questionnaire?

What property type do you own? Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is essential for a questionnaire's questions to ensure respondent comprehension?

The wording must be understandable and familiar. Signup and view all the answers

What is a guideline for the type of information that should be included in a questionnaire?

Included information must be inaccessible otherwise. Signup and view all the answers

How should the items in a questionnaire be organized?

In a neat and logical order. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options best describes the ideal duration for a well-planned questionnaire?

It should be designed to take a minimum of the respondent's time. Signup and view all the answers

What is an issue identified with the question 'How many hours a day did you work during the first week of June 2001?'?

It seeks a specific historical context which may confuse respondents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sample frame in survey research?

The list of individuals fitting the target population Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes sampling error?

Surveying only a portion of the whole population Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of people opposed cutting programs such as social security, medicare, medicaid, and farm subsidies to reduce the budget deficit?

66% Signup and view all the answers

What does measurement error pertain to in survey research?

Inaccurate or non-comparable responses from respondents Signup and view all the answers

What do Americans tend to think about government spending on welfare compared to assistance to the poor?

Welfare is seen as too costly, while assistance to the poor is not. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of people favored cutting government entitlements to reduce the budget deficit?

61% Signup and view all the answers

What is coverage error in survey research?

When the sample frame excludes significant elements of the population Signup and view all the answers

Which model was NOT mentioned as a method for collecting data in survey research?

Email surveys Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is critical when selecting a sample in survey research?

The decisions based on sample frame, size, and method Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of Americans regarding government entitlements?

They feel the current spending on entitlements is unsustainable. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Models of Data Collection

Different methods for collecting data include telephone surveys, direct administration, personal interviews, mail, internet surveys, and email.
Advantages and disadvantages vary for each method, impacting speed, cost, and response quality.

Telephone Survey

Quick results and lower cost compared to personal interviews.
Faces issues like nonresponse and limitations in question types.

Direct Administration

Offers short response time at a lower cost compared to personal interviews.
Requires facilities and trained personnel.

Personal Interviews

Provide quick results and allow for in-depth responses.
More expensive and training for interviewers is essential to reduce bias.

Mail Surveys

Cost-effective and allows for anonymity among respondents.
Challenges include low response rates, noncoverage errors, and long response times.

Internet and Email Surveys

Internet surveys are fast and inexpensive, capable of handling complex questions and multimedia.
Universal internet access is not guaranteed, which may impact the representativeness of results.
Email surveys are low cost and can yield higher response rates than traditional mail but depend on a good email list.

Steps in Survey Research

Data Analysis
- Involves cleaning and coding questionnaires to prepare for statistical analysis.
- Coding may include close-ended, open-ended, and partially close-ended questions.
Collecting Data
- Essential to apply the chosen instrument effectively.
- Diverse models impact collection methods and responses rates.

Problems in Survey Research

Non-Response
- Total nonresponse occurs when a survey is not returned; item nonresponse when specific questions are skipped.
Increasing Response Rate Suggestions
- Use multiple contacts to engage respondents and follow up with reminders.
- Personalization of communication can enhance engagement.

Instrumentation Issues

Validity can be affected by extraneous factors, leading questions, and question phrasing.
Conditions during surveys (e.g., time of day, environment) can influence responses.

Errors in Survey Research

Coverage Error: Sample drawn does not encompass the entire target population.
Sampling Error: Sampling only a subset instead of conducting a complete census.
Measurement Error: Respondents may provide inaccurate or non-comparable answers.
Non-Response Error: Differences between respondents and non-respondents can skew results.

Questionnaire Best Practices

Ensure brevity and focus on significant topics that warrant attention.
Use clear, understandable language to facilitate comprehension.
Logical item arrangement and clear instructions are vital for effective survey collection.

Examples of Errors in Responses

Question wording can lead to varying interpretations affecting response accuracy.
Differences in phrasing ("welfare" vs. "assistance to the poor") can significantly alter public opinion results.

Summary of Key Components

Effective survey research requires careful planning of methodologies, understanding of potential errors, and attention to the design of questionnaires to ensure validity and reliability of the collected data.

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Description

This quiz covers various methods of data collection, including telephone surveys, direct administration, personal interviews, mail surveys, and internet surveys. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each method, considering factors like speed, cost, and response quality. Test your understanding of these key concepts and their implications for data gathering.