Question 1

A researcher who is doing a survey has the advantage of being able to collect a great deal of data about an individual respondent at one time.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Surveys allow researchers to collect a large amount of data from each individual respondent in one sitting, making them efficient tools for data collection.

Question 2

The length of the questionnaire is immaterial in any type of research.

Accepted Answer

The length of the questionnaire can affect response rates and the quality of responses, and should be considered when designing research studies.

Question 3

Which of the following conditions must a researcher reasonably satisfy in order to get meaningful survey results?

Accepted Answer

E

Question 4

The best way to improve the response rate of mail interviews is to
A) offer an incentive
B) pre-notify people of the survey
C) use colored questionnaires
D) use first class mail
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Offering an incentive has been shown to increase response rates in mail interviews. This can include a small gift or monetary compensation for completing the survey. Pre-notification and first-class mail can also have a positive impact, but offering an incentive is typically the most effective method. Using colored questionnaires is not likely to have a significant effect on response rates.

Question 5

Respondent's impression of the interviewer impacts interviewer error.

Accepted Answer

Respondent's impression of the interviewer can influence the way they answer questions, which can impact the accuracy of the information gathered by the interviewer. This is known as interviewer bias or error.

Question 6

People who refuse to be interviewed are likely to be different in important respects from those who agree to participate.For this reason, a high rate of refusal may be a major source of survey error.

Accepted Answer

When a high rate of refusal occurs, it can result in a biased sample, as those who refuse to participate may have different opinions or characteristics than those who agree to be interviewed. This can lead to survey error and affect the accuracy of survey results.

Question 7

Survey data only cover knowledge, behavior, and classification variables.A survey is inadequate for recording a respondent's attitudes.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Surveys can also measure attitudes through the use of Likert scales, semantic differential scales, or open-ended questions.

Question 8

Which of the following is a survey method in which the environment plays no part in the data collection process?
A) Telephone interview
B) Self-administered survey
C) Personal interview
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

In a self-administered survey, participants complete the survey on their own, usually through an online survey platform or by mail-in forms. This method does not involve any interaction with an interviewer or any external environment factors. Therefore, it satisfies the conditions given in the question. Option (A) involves verbal communication over the phone and may be affected by background noise or other factors. Option (C) involves face-to-face interaction in an environment like an office or home, where external factors may influence the response of the participants.

Question 9

There is consistent evidence that people's willingness to answer survey questions is related to their belief that market research studies benefit the public.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There is consistent evidence that people's willingness...

Question 10

For which of the following response bias factors does salary, education, tastes, and lifestyles play a large role?
A) Courtesy bias
B) Uninformed response error
C) Time and pressure
D) Prestige seeking response bias
E) Invasion of privacy

Accepted Answer

The answer of For which of the following response bias...

Question 11

One of the reasons people refuse to participate in surveys is fear of the motives of an interviewer or of the uses to which the data will be put.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Concerns about privacy and data misuse can contribute to low survey response rates.

Question 12

Group administered surveys are marked by poor response rates.

Accepted Answer

Group administered surveys typically have high response rates because participants complete the surveys in a controlled setting where completion is encouraged or required.

Question 13

Using projective tests and unobtrusive measures to circumvent the need for a respondent's consent

Accepted Answer

Projective tests and unobtrusive measures can be used without the respondent's consent because they do not directly ask for the respondent's participation or involvement. These techniques gather information indirectly, through the interpretation of behavior, environment, or other non-verbal cues. However, it is important to note that the use of such methods without consent may raise ethical concerns and should be carefully considered.

Question 14

Toward the end of a long interview, the accuracy of responses is likely to decline.

Accepted Answer

This is because the interviewee may become fatigued or lose focus, leading to less thoughtful or detailed answers.

Question 15

Measuring behavior often means assessing the aspects of what, where, when, and how often

Accepted Answer

Measuring behavior involves assessing various dimensions, including the four basic aspects of what behavior is being observed, where it occurs, when it occurs, and how often it occurs.

Question 16

The reading and writing skills of the respondents and their motivation to cooperate are two salient considerations in choosing a mode of data collection.

Accepted Answer

The reading and writing skills of the respondents and their motivation to cooperate are important factors to take into account when deciding on the mode of data collection. For example, a survey that requires respondents to fill out a lengthy questionnaire may not be feasible if the majority of the target population have low literacy levels. Similarly, if respondents are not motivated to cooperate, the data collected may be incomplete or unreliable.

Question 17

How can the problem of interviewer errors be minimized?
A) switching to an alternative mode of data collection
B) increasing the sample size
C) proper recruiting, selecting, training, motivation, and control of interviewers
D) disguising the purpose of the research project
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Proper recruiting, selecting, training, motivation, and control of interviewers can help minimize interviewer errors. This includes selecting qualified interviewers, providing them with clear instructions and training, and monitoring their performance to ensure consistency and accuracy in data collection. Switching to an alternative mode of data collection or increasing the sample size may not necessarily address the issue of interviewer errors. Disguising the purpose of the research project is unethical and can compromise the validity of the results.

Question 18

A researcher should be aware that, when in doubt, a respondent will give too little rather than too much information about past behavior.

Accepted Answer

Respondents often over-report socially desirable behaviors and under-report socially undesirable behaviors, which can lead to providing more or less information based on the perceived social desirability of the behavior in question, rather than a general tendency to give too little information.

Question 19

One way to reduce nonresponse error is to try to interview respondents in ways that are less intrusive in their lives.

Accepted Answer

By using less intrusive methods of interviewing, respondents may be more willing to participate and provide accurate information, thus reducing nonresponse error. Examples of less intrusive methods may include online surveys, mail-in surveys, or telephone surveys.

Question 20

Open-ended questions are most suited for self-administered questionnaires.

Accepted Answer

Open-ended questions are more challenging for respondents to answer in self-administered questionnaires because they require more effort and time to write out answers, making closed-ended questions more suited for this format.

Quiz 9: Information From Respondents: Issues in Data Collection