Survey Response Techniques and Effects

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Questions and Answers

What is the effect of offering a neutral position in survey responses?

It potentially prevents respondents from considering their actual opinions. (correct)

It guarantees that respondents will not choose a no opinion option.

It always leads to more accurate data collection.

It encourages honest responses by easing cognitive load.

What is satisficing in the context of survey response?

Choosing the most complex answer to reflect deep thought.

Giving incomplete or minimal responses to avoid effort. (correct)

Providing fabricated opinions on nonexistent issues.

Prioritizing accuracy over social desirability.

Why might respondents choose a 'no opinion' option?

They understand the issue very well but prefer neutrality.

They lack knowledge about the topic being surveyed. (correct)

They believe that expressing an opinion is unnecessary.

They want to avoid being perceived as uninformed.

What does the concept of 'swayed opinion' refer to?

Respondents fabricating opinions to fit social norms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a false positive in survey responses?

Selecting an option without genuine knowledge of the subject. Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential downside of rephrasing a binary question to include multiple choices?

It can lead to confusion among respondents. Signup and view all the answers

What might be a consequence of pressuring respondents to provide an answer?

It may lead to respondents providing invalid responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key concern regarding the collection of data through surveys?

Valid responses from each participant strengthen survey results. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the randomized response technique (RRT) in survey research?

To insulate sensitive questions from the interviewer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of social desirability bias in surveys?

Underreporting of undesirable behavior Signup and view all the answers

What method allows respondents to answer questions while minimizing direct interaction with the interviewer?

Computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) Signup and view all the answers

Why should researchers be cautious when using knowledge questions in surveys?

Respondents may exaggerate their knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant issue that arises from respondents overstating their civic engagement, such as voting?

It results in inaccurate evaluations of public sentiment Signup and view all the answers

Which population is most likely to inaccurately report their voting behavior according to social norms?

Individuals under societal pressure to conform Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception revealed through surveys about charitable donations?

A substantial percentage report giving to charities despite not doing so Signup and view all the answers

What type of bias occurs when respondents distort answers to appear knowledgeable or cultured?

Response bias Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a contingency question?

To determine the relevance of follow-up questions Signup and view all the answers

What type of question allows respondents to provide any response they wish?

Open-ended question Signup and view all the answers

Why might respondents give inaccurate answers about their household composition?

They forget to mention family members they argue with Signup and view all the answers

How do pilot tests contribute to survey research?

They help determine question difficulty and clarity Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes closed-ended questions from open-ended questions?

Closed-ended questions offer a fixed set of response options Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'response bias' refer to in survey research?

The tendency of respondents to provide answers that are socially acceptable Signup and view all the answers

Which populations might be excluded from accurate surveys due to household reporting issues?

Transient individuals with no fixed address Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of using closed-ended survey questions?

They facilitate easier and faster data analysis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Survey Research History

Survey research methods originated in ancient censuses, like the Domesday Book
Early 19th-century social reform movements in the U.S. and UK used surveys to document urban conditions and poverty.
The "Social Survey Movement" combined qualitative and quantitative research methods to understand social conditions
Statistical sampling techniques emerged in the 1920s and 1930s after the Literary Digest debacle.
World War II greatly expanded survey research due to large-scale funding for morale, consumption, and production studies

Logic of Survey Research

Surveys approximate knowledge, offering different perspectives with limitations.
They are valuable for specific problems like public opinion but less so for others.
Surveys are highly structured unlike experiments, using multiple questions to measure multiple variables at once.
Inferring cause-and-effect relationships in surveys relies on statistical analysis to evaluate the relationships among variables.
Temporal order is inferred from self-reported experiences.

Steps in Conducting a Survey

Phase 1: Instrument Creation:
- Operationalize variables into specific survey questions.
- Write, rewrite, and organize questions.
- Pilot test questionnaire with a small sample of similar individuals to the survey population.
- Train interviewers if using them.
Phase 2: Data Collection:
- Identify the target population and desired sample size
- Select the sample to be surveyed
- Properly record responses from respondents
Phase 3: Data Analysis:
- Enter data into computers to be analyzed.
- Review, check, and perform statistical analysis.
Phase 4: Reporting:
- Present findings, methods, and limitations in a research report.

Construction of the Questionnaire

Avoid Jargon, Slang, and Abbreviations: Use understood language for clear, unbiased interpretations.
Avoid Ambiguity, Confusion, and Vagueness: Be specific, clearly defining terms to avoid multiple interpretations by respondents.
Avoid Emotional Language and Prestige Bias: Keep questions neutral to avoid emotional responses or the influence of highly regarded individuals, groups, or institutions.
Avoid Double-Barreled Questions: Ask one question at a time.
Avoid Leading Questions: Avoid phrasing questions in a way that prompts a specific response.
Avoid Questions Beyond Respondents' Capabilities: Ask meaningful questions that respondents can accurately address.
Avoid False Premises: Be careful phrasing questions that include statements that might be incorrect or disputed by respondents.
Avoid Questions About Distant Future Intentions: Focus on questions relating to current or recent behavior, opinions, or beliefs.
Avoid Double Negatives: Avoid using two negative words or phrases in a question.
Avoid Overlapping or Unbalanced Response Categories: Provide clear, mutually exclusive, and exhaustive choices for respondents to choose from.

Special Situations

Organization Surveys: Tailor questions to fit the organizational context.
Elites: Gaining cooperation necessitates special outreach. (Example: using trusted intermediaries)
Time Budget Surveys: Record detailed activity information frequently for time-based analyses.

Interviewing

Standardized Interviews: Interviewers read questions exactly as written, avoiding deviation.
Conversational or Flexible Interviews: Tailoring the interview to the respondent in order to ensure the survey data is properly collected.
Probe: Neutral questions that clarify ambiguous answers are used.

Ethical Considerations

Respect Privacy: Avoid sensitive topics or phrasing unless justified with measures to protect respondents.
Voluntary Participation: Give respondents the option to decline participation at any time..
Survey Exploitation and Abuse: Be careful with survey preparation, design, and use.
Misuse of Information: Surveys should be reported responsibly and with appropriate explanation of methods and limitations.

Types of Surveys

Mail Surveys: Advantageous for broad, low-cost reaches, but often have low response rates.
Telephone Surveys: Generally faster than mail with potentially higher response rates. Requires interviewer training but can have some interviewer bias.
Face-to-Face Interviews: Offer the highest response rates, flexibility with questions, and observation of the respondent. Usually more expensive.
Web Surveys: Convenient and relatively inexpensive, but with potential issues around sample coverage.

Response Rates

Factors influencing response rates, include location, contact, eligibility, cooperation, completion of the whole survey.
Improving response rates involves many strategies, including follow-up measures, incentives, clear instructions, and effective question formatting.

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Description

Explore the various concepts and effects related to survey responses, including neutral positions, satisficing, and the implications of rephrasing questions. This quiz will help you understand the nuances of survey design and the potential pitfalls in data collection.