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.

Accepted Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What topics are threatening to respondents? Which...

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Distinguish between the following types of questions:...

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under what conditions is it best to...

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?"

Accepted Answer

This question is problematic because it is a leading question (suggesting the answer the surveyor wants), has prestige bias (invoking the authority or admirable qualities of the president), is emotionally loaded (using charged language to elicit emotional rather than rational responses), and assumes knowledge beyond what most respondents possess (specific details about the situation in Outer Bunga).

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

E) This question is specific, avoids leading or loaded questions, and does not assume behaviors, making it the best choice among the options.

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?

Accepted Answer

The question asks for respondents' beliefs rather than measuring actual data on the relationship between education and smoking, which could lead to inaccurate conclusions.

Question 10

In writing survey questions, it is a good idea to

Accepted Answer

Using filter or quasi-filter questions helps to identify respondents who are familiar with the issue at hand, ensuring that subsequent questions are only directed to those with relevant knowledge or experience. This approach improves the quality and relevance of the data collected.

Question 11

A desirable characteristic of a survey question is that it

Accepted Answer

The desirable characteristics of a survey question include clarity, neutrality, and simplicity. Options A, B, C, and D all introduce biases or complexities that could skew responses or confuse respondents, making them undesirable characteristics.

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

Accepted Answer

Darnell is using a contingency question because the set of questions a respondent answers depends on their response to a specific question about their race.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Respondents are most likely to overstate behaviors that are socially desirable or viewed positively, such as giving to charity or helping friends, to present themselves in a better light.

Question 14

In general, a closed-ended question can

Accepted Answer

Closed-ended questions can indeed yield different results from open-ended questions due to their structured nature, force respondents to choose from provided options even if they don't fully agree with any, facilitate quantitative data analysis through predefined answers, and minimize bias against those less comfortable with complex oral expression by simplifying responses.

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?

Accepted Answer

Sensitive questions are best placed among the last questions to ensure respondents are already engaged with the survey and feel more comfortable answering. However, if there's a set of similar questions, placing them together can help maintain the survey's flow and context, making it easier for respondents to answer honestly.

Question 16

When conducting a survey research interview an interviewer should

Accepted Answer

None of the options A through D are considered best practices in conducting survey research interviews. Offering personal opinions, skipping questions, indicating personal reactions, or speaking without any expression could bias the responses or affect the quality of the data collected.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

The correct stance for a survey research interviewer is to maintain a neutral tone while naturally expressing the exact wording on the interview schedule. This approach ensures that the interviewer does not influence the responses of the participant through their tone or expressions, allowing for more accurate and unbiased data collection.

Question 18

Survey research interviewers should

Accepted Answer

Survey research interviewers should follow standardized procedures to ensure that the data collected are reliable and valid. Rephrasing questions, involving others in the interview, sharing personal opinions, and failing to assure confidentiality can all bias responses and compromise the integrity of the survey.

Question 19

Talk about:
-context effect

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-context effect...

Question 20

Talk about:
-contingency question

Accepted Answer

The answer of Talk about:
-contingency question...

Quiz 7: Survey Research

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