Which of the following best describes the trend in nonresponse rates in telephone surveys conducted from 1979 to 2003?
A) Response rates have continually increased.
B) Response rates have remained unchanged primarily due to the effects of online surveys.
C) Response rates have slowly declined over this period of years.
D) Response rates increased dramatically from 1979 to about 1988, and then saw a downward fall that was just as dramatic.
E) Response rates increased dramatically from 1979 to about 1985, and then saw a downward fall that was just as dramatic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that nonresponse rates in telephone surveys have generally been declining from 1979 to 2003. This is due to several factors including the increasing difficulty of reaching people due to caller ID or voicemail, and a decrease in people's willingness to participate in surveys. While online surveys have had some impact on telephone survey response rates, they are not the primary reason for the decline. Options A, D, and E are incorrect as they all suggest that response rates either increased or remained stagnant at some point, which is not supported by research.

Which of the Following Best Describes the Trend in Nonresponse