Deck 7: Survey Research

Question 1

Talk about:
-What are the six aspects of social life which can be addressed in a survey? Provide an example for each category.

Answer 1

The six aspects of social life that can be addressed in a survey are:

1. Family: This aspect can include questions about family structure, relationships, and dynamics. For example, a survey question could ask about the frequency of family meals and the level of communication between family members.

2. Education: This aspect can cover topics such as access to education, quality of education, and educational attainment. An example survey question could inquire about the level of satisfaction with the current education system.

3. Work and employment: This aspect can include questions about job satisfaction, work-life balance, and career advancement opportunities. For instance, a survey question could ask about the level of job security and the impact of work on personal life.

4. Health and well-being: This aspect can cover topics such as physical health, mental health, and access to healthcare. An example survey question could inquire about the frequency of exercise and the level of stress experienced on a daily basis.

5. Social relationships: This aspect can include questions about friendships, romantic relationships, and social support networks. For example, a survey question could ask about the frequency of social interactions and the level of satisfaction with current relationships.

6. Leisure and recreation: This aspect can cover topics such as hobbies, entertainment, and leisure activities. An example survey question could inquire about the frequency of participation in recreational activities and the level of satisfaction with available leisure options.

By addressing these six aspects in a survey, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of individuals' social lives and the factors that contribute to their overall well-being.

Question 2

Identify eight of the twelve things which you should avoid when writing survey questions and briefly explain each of the eight.

Answer 2

1. Leading questions: Avoid asking questions that lead the respondent to a particular answer, as this can bias the results and make them less reliable.

2. Double-barreled questions: These are questions that ask about two different things at once, making it difficult for the respondent to provide a clear answer.

3. Ambiguous language: Use clear and specific language in your survey questions to avoid confusion and ensure that respondents understand what is being asked.

4. Loaded language: Avoid using emotionally charged or biased language in your survey questions, as this can influence the respondent's answers.

5. Negatively worded questions: Questions framed in a negative way can be confusing for respondents and may lead to inaccurate responses.

6. Overly long or complex questions: Keep your survey questions concise and easy to understand to ensure that respondents can answer them accurately.

7. Assumptions: Avoid making assumptions about the respondent's knowledge or experiences, as this can lead to inaccurate responses.

8. Lack of response options: Make sure to provide a comprehensive set of response options for each question, so that respondents can accurately convey their thoughts and opinions.

Question 3

How should you organize questions in a questionnaire? Refer to order effects, a funnel sequence, and context effects in your answer.

Answer 3

When organizing questions in a questionnaire, it is important to consider order effects, a funnel sequence, and context effects.

Order effects refer to the potential impact of the sequence of questions on respondents' answers. To minimize order effects, it is recommended to start with general and easy-to-answer questions before moving on to more specific or sensitive ones. This can help ease respondents into the survey and reduce the likelihood of biased responses.

A funnel sequence involves starting with broad, general questions and gradually narrowing down to more specific and detailed ones. This approach helps to maintain respondents' interest and engagement while also guiding them through the survey in a logical and structured manner.

Context effects refer to the influence of the overall context or environment on respondents' answers. When organizing questions in a questionnaire, it is important to consider the context in which the survey will be taken and ensure that the wording and order of questions are appropriate for that context.

In summary, organizing questions in a questionnaire should involve careful consideration of order effects, a funnel sequence, and context effects to ensure that the survey elicits accurate and unbiased responses from respondents.

Question 4

What topics are threatening to respondents? Which create social desirability problems? What can a researcher do about them?

Question 5

Distinguish between the following types of questions: contingency, matrix, filtered, quasi-filtered, and standard questions? Explain when you should use each type.

Question 6

Under what conditions is it best to use each of the following: mail questionnaires, telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews, or Web survey?

Question 7

Which of the following is(are) a problem(s) with this survey question?
"Don't you agree with our heroic president that we must crush the blood-thirsty extremists now murdering the peace-loving innocent women and children of Outer Bunga?"

A) leading question
B) prestige basis
C) emotionally loaded
D) assumes knowledge beyond that which most respondents possess
E) all of the above

Question 8

Which of the following survey questions is best, i.e., avoids most of the errors in question writing?

A) "Aside from work you do at home or at a job, do you do anything to stay physically fit?"
B) "Do you agree with the U.S. Surgeon General that smoking is bad for your health?"
C) "Have you ever had angina or cardiac fibrillation?"
D) "Do you jog and do sit ups every day?"
E) "How many times a month do you engage in vigorous physical exercise for a period of at least 20 minutes?"

Question 9

By asking survey respondents, "Do you think that highly-educated people smoke cigarettes as much as less-educated people?" when you want to test the hypothesis that education is negatively associated with smoking, what is the problem with this question?

A) It is a double-barreled question.
B) It treats people's beliefs as being actual relationships.
C) It is a biased question.
D) It is a threatening question.
E) No problem, it is a good question.

Question 10

In writing survey questions, it is a good idea to

A) include your independent and dependent variable in the same question to test hypotheses quickly.
B) use filter or quasi-filter questions if respondents are unfamiliar with the issue.
C) use closed-ended questions when beginning research on a new issue.
D) use double-barreled questions to save space and time.
E) none of the above

Question 11

A desirable characteristic of a survey question is that it

A) uses jargon or slang so people feel comfortable.
B) contains two issues in the same question to save space.
C) begins by referring to a well-known and respected group or individual's position on the issue to provide guidance.
D) states the issue in inflammatory, emotionally-charged language, because that is how most people think and speak.
E) none of the above

Question 12

Darnell's questionnaire has two sets of questions. One set asks whites about black people, and the other asks black people about whites. The set of questions respondents answer depend upon their answer to the second question in the questionnaire, "What is your race?" Darnell is using a

A) dual-ballot question.
B) forced-choice question.
C) contingency question.
D) sign-post question.
E) double-barreled question.

Question 13

Which behavior is a respondent most likely to OVERSTATE in a survey interview?

A) tax evasion
B) having a venereal disease
C) alcohol consumption
D) giving to a charity or helping friends
E) savings and other wealth owned

Question 14

In general, a closed-ended question can

A) yield results that may differ from an open-ended question.
B) yield answers even if respondents don't really agree with any of the answer choices that a researcher offers.
C) provide the researcher with quantitative data on respondents that is easy to analyze by using statistics.
D) avoid bias against people who find it difficult to express themselves in complex oral discussions.
E) all of the above

Question 15

If you were going to ask a question about a highly sensitive topic (e.g., masturbation, homosexuality, extramarital affairs), where should you place it in a survey?

A) as the very first question
B) mixed somewhere among unrelated questions in the middle
C) always the absolute last question
D) among the last questions, unless it fits into a set of similar questions; then with similar questions
E) such questions are never asked in survey research

Question 16

When conducting a survey research interview an interviewer should

A) offer his or her own opinion first to build rapport.
B) skip over questions if you already know the answer for the respondent.
C) indicate his or her personal reaction to each answer to show interest.
D) speak without facial expression or change in tone of voice, like a robot, because otherwise he or she will influence the respondent.
E) none of the above.

Question 17

The correct stance or attitude for a survey research interviewer to take is

A) as an actor or actress told to read lines without any facial expression or any change in tone of voice, like a robot.
B) an aggressive police interrogator.
C) a neutral tone, with natural expression of the exact wording on the interview schedule.
D) a close friend, therapist, or family member.
E) an expressive, interested participant to the point of beginning arguments on issues.

Question 18

Survey research interviewers should

A) rephrase each question into terms with which the respondent will feel most comfortable.
B) invite family, friends, and neighbors to the interview so respondents will be in a natural setting.
C) communicate his/her own feelings and opinions, so that the respondent will feel free to divulge personal information also.
D) never promise that answers will remain confidential or anonymous.
E) none of the above

Question 19

Talk about:
-context effect

Question 20

Talk about:
-contingency question

Question 21

Talk about:
-cover sheet

Question 22

Talk about:
-floaters

Question 23

Talk about:
-funnel sequence

Question 24

Talk about:
-interview schedule

Question 25

Talk about:
-matrix question

Question 26

Talk about:
-open-ended question

Question 27

Talk about:
-order effect

Question 28

Talk about:
-prestige bias

Question 29

Talk about:
-probe

Question 30

Talk about:
-response set

Question 31

Talk about:
-threatening questions

Question 32

Talk about:
-wording effects