A researcher conducting a mail survey develops a number of subgroups by noting the order of those responding: e.g., group 1, those responding after initial contact; group 2, those responding after first follow-up, etc. Statistics are then computed to see if there are any significant differences between the groups. If there is no significant trend the mean for the nonrespondents and respondents is ___. If there is a significant difference the researcher ____.
A) biased; scraps the project and starts all over again
B) assumed the same; extrapolates to allow for the respondents
C) assumed equal; assumes the nonrespondents are like the respondents
D) assumed different; extrapolates to allow for the nonrespondents
E) assumed equal; extrapolates to allow for the nonrespondents

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If there is no significant trend observed among the groups, it implies that the responses are consistent across the different follow-ups, suggesting that the nonrespondents would likely have similar views as those who responded. Therefore, the mean for the nonrespondents and respondents is assumed equal, and the researcher extrapolates this assumption to allow for the nonrespondents in the analysis.

A Researcher Conducting a Mail Survey Develops a Number of Subgroups