SOAN 2120 Lecture : SOAN 2120 Mar.19.docx
Document Summary
Send out a letter to ppl, get them to fill it out and send it back. Can also be ones you have ppl sit w/researcher present [i. e. handing out surveys in a mall] Want at least a 50% response rate [at this point you introduce bias b/c half of your sample hasn"t participated] Pro"s- not too costly, no training/hiring of interviewers, ppl might feel more comfortable giving truthful responses, no interviewer influence, more time to get well thought out answers. Con"s-low response rate, only those interested will respond, cannot answer any questions respondents might have, participants might get confused phone survey. Very common, interviewers call homes from a list of directories and ask a sample of questions. Pro"s-a little more costly but has higher response rate, respondents are more likely to give truthful answers over the phone than in person, greater collection of information, can have supervisor on site so ppl can ask questions.