Telephone surveys

Definition

Telephone surveys are a method of data collection where respondents are contacted via telephone to answer a set of questions. This approach allows researchers to gather information quickly and efficiently, often resulting in a higher response rate compared to other methods. However, they can also introduce errors and biases, affecting the accuracy of survey results, and can be part of mixed-mode data collection strategies that combine different methods for more comprehensive insights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Telephone surveys can reach a wide demographic quickly but may exclude individuals without phone access or those who prefer not to answer calls.
2. The wording and order of questions in telephone surveys can lead to response bias, impacting the quality of the data collected.
3. Due to declining landline usage, many researchers have shifted focus to mobile phone surveys to capture a more representative sample.
4. Training interviewers is crucial in telephone surveys to ensure they follow protocols, maintain neutrality, and reduce interviewer bias.
5. Combining telephone surveys with other methods in a mixed-mode design can help improve data reliability and address limitations inherent in any single method.

Review Questions

• What are some common sources of error in telephone surveys, and how do they impact the overall results?
  • Common sources of error in telephone surveys include response bias, sampling error, and interviewer bias. Response bias can arise from poorly worded questions or pressure during the call, leading respondents to give less accurate answers. Sampling error occurs when the sample does not represent the population accurately, which can skew results. These errors collectively impact the validity of the survey findings, making it crucial for researchers to implement strategies to minimize them.
• Discuss how telephone surveys can be effectively integrated into a mixed-mode data collection strategy.
  • Integrating telephone surveys into a mixed-mode data collection strategy allows researchers to leverage the strengths of multiple methods while minimizing their weaknesses. For instance, combining telephone surveys with online questionnaires can help reach different demographic groups effectively. Researchers might use phone surveys for initial outreach and follow up with online methods for detailed responses. This approach improves overall response rates and ensures a more diverse sample, enhancing the robustness of the findings.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of telephone surveys in the current digital age compared to traditional face-to-face methods.
  • In today's digital age, telephone surveys offer unique advantages over traditional face-to-face methods, particularly in terms of speed and cost-effectiveness. They can reach respondents quickly and can be conducted from remote locations, reducing logistical challenges associated with in-person interviews. However, reliance on landlines has decreased, pushing researchers to adapt by focusing on mobile phone users. While face-to-face methods can provide richer qualitative data through personal interaction, telephone surveys remain a valuable tool when time and resources are limited, particularly when designed thoughtfully within a mixed-method framework.

Related terms

Response bias: A type of bias that occurs when respondents provide inaccurate answers due to the way questions are asked or the survey method used.

Sampling error: The error that occurs when a sample does not accurately represent the population from which it was drawn, often affecting the validity of survey results.

Mixed-mode design: A data collection strategy that uses multiple survey methods, such as telephone, online, and face-to-face interviews, to enhance data quality and reach diverse populations.