Cynthia is conducting a survey on the prevalence and patterns of substance abuse in her city. Which of the following problems is she likely to encounter while using this method of data collection?
A) the assumption that a person's behavior is consistent and stable
B) the inability to sample a large number of people
C) the assumption that surveys have to be conducted only in person
D) some participants may not tell the truth and instead give socially acceptable answers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

One common problem with using surveys to collect data on sensitive topics such as substance abuse is that some participants may not be truthful in their responses. This is often due to social desirability bias, where respondents give answers that are socially acceptable rather than admitting to potentially stigmatized or illegal behaviors. However, this can be mitigated by using anonymous surveys and emphasizing the importance of honest responses. The other options listed (A, B, C) are not necessarily problems with surveys themselves, but rather considerations that researchers must keep in mind when designing and implementing surveys.

Cynthia Is Conducting a Survey on the Prevalence and Patterns