Deck 7: Survey Research

Question 1

Survey research involves the collection of information from a ______ of individuals.

A) sample
B) group
C) population
D) study

Answer 1

A

Question 2

What is one of the four main types of errors that may occur in survey research?

A) generalizability
B) sampling
C) adequate coverage of the population
D) redundant questions

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Sending ______ mailings to respondents of mail-in surveys is important for obtaining an adequate response rate.

A) multiple
B) follow-up
C) impressive
D) expensive

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following is a typical problem for phone surveys?

A) high response rates
B) slow processing speeds
C) The number of callbacks required has increased greatly.
D) Cell phones cannot be included.

Question 5

When conducting survey research, which is a typical ethical concern?

A) anonymity
B) mixed modality
C) context effect
D) interview schedules

Question 6

Which of the following is a potential problem for in-person interviews?

A) The interaction with the researcher is personalized for each interviewee.
B) Small differences in how information is communicated by the researcher may impact results.
C) difficulty finding members of a target sample population
D) Subjects are less likely to engage with an interviewer face-to-face.

Question 7

If you receive poor participation in your survey research, it is likely due to ______.

A) your research question
B) satisficing
C) nonresponse
D) the target population

Question 8

The best option for avoiding the impacts of idiosyncratic variation in responses is to develop multiple questions about a concept and then do what?

A) Average the responses to those questions in a composite measure.
B) Discard outlier responses from analysis.
C) Use absolute terms that invoke strong emotional reactions.
D) Use force-choice answer options.

Question 9

According to the text, what is the most important requirement for obtaining an adequate response rate to a mailed survey?

A) a personalized cover letter
B) a token financial incentive
C) a well-designed survey
D) sending follow-up mailings to non-respondents

Question 10

The ______ it sets the tone for mailed questionnaires.

A) cover letter
B) filter question
C) follow up mailings
D) response rates

Question 11

A mailed survey's cover letter must be ______ and ______.

A) creative; reasonable
B) interesting; responsible
C) rational; captivating
D) honest; quantifiable

Question 12

A carefully prepared cover letter for a mailed survey should accomplish which of the following?

A) confidentiality
B) increased response rates
C) responsible behavior from participants
D) follow-up

Question 13

A mixed-mode survey allows the strengths of one survey design to ______.

A) contradict the findings of another methodology
B) complicate the research finding by presenting multiple data sets
C) compensate for the weakness of another methodology
D) secure the data and ensure confidentiality

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true about mixed-mode survey designs?

A) They improve overall participation rates.
B) They offer less complicated research methodologies.
C) They decrease the likelihood of securing data from a variety of populations.
D) They allow for longitudinal data collection.

Question 15

Sending a mailed survey and following up with non-respondents with a phone interview is an example of ______.

A) gield work
B) a computer-assisted interview
C) a mixed-mode survey
D) an Interactive voice response

Question 16

Leaving out cell-phones when conducting phone surveys may result in ______.

A) survey bias
B) improved response rates
C) increased participation from the poor
D) quantifiable data

Question 17

Dr. Jarvis is conducting a survey to explore how students feel about their academic institutions. Several of the questions she aims to ask cannot be measured using fixed response choices. What should Dr. Jarvis consider for her study?

A) e-mailed surveys
B) a cover letter
C) open-ended questions
D) Likert scales

Question 18

What type of participants can skew results if they are required to choose between fixed options?

A) nonrespondents
B) floaters
C) fence-sitters
D) free-riders

Question 19

______ phrase an attitude in terms of one end of a continuum such as strongly agree-strongly disagree.

A) Bipolar response options
B) Likert scales
C) Labeled unipolar response options
D) Skip patterns

Question 20

The combination of questions created in a survey by filter and contingent questions is known as a(n) ______.

A) Likert scale
B) research agenda
C) index
D) skip pattern

Question 21

A survey which covers a range of topics of interest to different social scientists is called a(n) ______.

A) finding
B) omnibus survey
C) longitudinal survey
D) web research

Question 22

An omnibus survey shows how versatile, generalizable, and efficient and survey can be.

Question 23

The following is an example of a double-negative question: Do you agree or disagree that gas prices should not increase this year?

Question 24

Problems with response choices can sometimes be corrected by getting rid of questions.

Question 25

A straight forward approach to asking questions minimizes confusion.

Question 26

It is okay to use an instrument that another researcher has designed as long as previous surveys indicate that the measure is reliable and valid, and they receive credit.

Question 27

The order in which questions are presented will not influence how respondents react to the questionnaire as a whole.

Question 28

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of including neutral, middle alternatives in response choices for survey questions. What potential pitfalls could a researcher encounter if they do not include these alternatives?