Deck 17: Survey Research

Question 1

Survey research is concerned primarily with:

A) explaining phenomena
B) determining relationships among variables
C) reporting existing conditions
D) statistical inference

Answer 1

reporting existing conditions

Question 2

Is it important to follow up on those persons in a survey who did not return questionnaires mailed to them?

A) No, because high precision is not needed in questionnaire surveys.
B) No, because such delayed returns would be of doubtful value.
C) Yes, because the sample that has already returned the questionnaire may be biased.
D) Yes, because descriptive statistics require a large sample.

Answer 2

Yes, because the sample that has already returned the questionnaire may be biased.

Question 3

The longitudinal method in developmental studies has the advantage of:

A) more extensive data on individual subjects
B) data for different age groups at the same point in time
C) prompt data gathering
D) no sampling errors

Answer 3

more extensive data on individual subjects

Question 4

The purpose of most surveys is to:

A) explore cause and effect
B) obtain information from a sample
C) test hypotheses
D) describe the characteristics of a population

Question 5

Items used in survey research can include:

A) test questions
B) questions of belief
C) factual questions
D) all of the above

Question 6

In a panel study, the researcher obtains information from:

A) the same sample at different points in time
B) different samples at different times
C) different samples at the same time
D) an entire population at different points in time

Question 7

The difference between a trend study and a cohort study is that a cohort study obtains data from:

A) the same sample at different points in time
B) different samples from the same specific population
C) different samples from a population whose members change somewhat
D) an entire population at different points in time

Question 8

Which method cannot be used in conjunction with the survey method?

A) The experimental method
B) The causal-comparative method
C) The correlational method
D) All can be used

Question 9

The major problem with mail surveys is the:

A) low response rate
B) cost
C) time required
D) training required

Question 10

The primary advantages of the interview are:

A) high response rate and opportunity for clarification of questions
B) cost and training required
C) anonymity and cost
D) time required and response rate

Question 11

An advantage of multiple-choice questions as compared to open-ended questions is that they:

A) are easier to construct
B) are easier to score
C) require more questions to cover a given topic
D) are easier to administer

Question 12

An advantage of open-ended questions as compared to multiple-choice questions is that they:

A) are easier to score
B) are preferred by respondents
C) are less subject to misinterpretation
D) provide more variety of responses

Question 13

Which of the following is the best question?

A) Do you favor tuition tax credits as a way of alleviating educational problems?
B) Do you support tuition tax credits?
C) Do you believe tuition tax credits would, on the whole, have more desirable than undesirable consequences?
D) Do you agree that tuition tax credits would not have negative effects?

Question 14

A contingency question is one that:

A) is contingent upon the use of specialized vocabulary
B) depends on the answer to a prior question
C) provides at least three response questions
D) is only given to predetermined respondents

Question 15

A cover letter should accomplish all of the following except:

A) ensuring cooperation of the respondent
B) assuring confidentiality
C) clarifying the researcher's hypotheses
D) facilitating a reply

Question 16

Interviewers should be trained to do all of the following except:

A) establish a friendly relationship with the respondent
B) show their own views regarding the study
C) follow-up on ambiguous answers
D) ask questions in a standard manner

Question 17

Which of the following is not likely to distort the results of a survey?

A) The location where data are obtained
B) The format of the questionnaire
C) The characteristics of the data collector
D) Statistical regression

Question 18

Which of the following questions is most appropriately studied by means of a survey?

A) What are the effects of higher level questioning?
B) Are there differences between boys and girls in initiating social interaction?
C) What do university graduates view as strengths and weaknesses in their education?
D) What are the causes of high school dropout?

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a cross-sectional survey?

A) An attitude scale is given to samples of 8-, 10-, and 12-year-olds.
B) An opinionnaire is mailed to the same sample of graduates every year.
C) A group of gifted children is assessed every other year until adulthood.
D) None of the above.

Question 20

Which of the following is a way researchers attempt to reduce nonresponse in survey studies?

A) Training interviewers/administrators
B) Convenient arrangements
C) Clarity of questions
D) All of the above

Question 21

Matching

-Cohort study

A) A sample surveyed at one point in time
B) A population surveyed at one point in time
C) Sample members do not change
D) Different samples from a population whose members may change
E) Different samples from a population whose members do not change

Question 22

Matching

-Census

A) A sample surveyed at one point in time
B) A population surveyed at one point in time
C) Sample members do not change
D) Different samples from a population whose members may change
E) Different samples from a population whose members do not change

Question 23

Matching

-Trend study

A) A sample surveyed at one point in time
B) A population surveyed at one point in time
C) Sample members do not change
D) Different samples from a population whose members may change
E) Different samples from a population whose members do not change

Question 24

Matching

-Cross-sectional survey

A) A sample surveyed at one point in time
B) A population surveyed at one point in time
C) Sample members do not change
D) Different samples from a population whose members may change
E) Different samples from a population whose members do not change

Question 25

Matching

-Panel study

A) A sample surveyed at one point in time
B) A population surveyed at one point in time
C) Sample members do not change
D) Different samples from a population whose members may change
E) Different samples from a population whose members do not change

Question 26

That which is studied in a survey is called the "unit of analysis.

Question 27

The biggest disadvantage of face-to-face interviews is that they are more costly than either mail or telephone surveys.

Question 28

Random sampling of subjects is not possible in survey research design.

Question 29

In general, closed-ended questions are more difficult to write than open-ended questions.

Question 30

Random replacement is a faulty procedure commonly used to handle nonresponse in telephone surveys.