Problem 79a

Given information

It is widely known that response rates are falling throughout the world. In this environment, survey researchers are concerned about the quality of the statistics generated from surveys with low response rates due to the presence of nonresponse bias. Response bias can be caused by the order of your questions. For example, if you ask employees to detail issues with their line manager before you ask how happy they are in their role, their answer to the second question will be influenced by their first response.

Step-by-step explanation

Some of the Possible reasons are as follows:

•  Increased use of caller id,
•  decreased use of landlines,
•  increased use of private numbers, voice mail, privacy managers,
•  hectic nature of personal schedules,
•  decreased willingness to be interviewed

In addition, new technologies sometimes erroneously flag survey calls– even those conducted for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – as “spam.” Numerous cellphone operating systems, cellular carriers, and third-party apps block incoming phone numbers or warn users that incoming numbers are from potential scammers, fraudsters, or spammers.

For pollsters, these new challenges add to a long-standing set of reasons why some people may not respond to surveys, including concerns over intrusions on their time and privacy; people feeling too busy to participate; and a general lack of interest in taking surveys.