In the use of surveys, questionnaires, and interviews, there is the potential for three common errors: response errors, nonresponse errors, and interviewer errors. Though common types of errors, each is distinguishable from the others. When participants engage in surveys, questionnaires, and/or interviews, they are aware of the fact that they are expected to give some kind of response. When participants willfully provide a response based on what they think the researcher wishes to receive, this is known as ôresponse error or biasö (Survey 2004, 1). In contrast to response error, nonresponse error occurs when participants are unable to answer questions, even when agreeable to answering. Nonresponse error can also occur when respondents refuse to answer some questions. According to researchers, ôIf the people who refuse are indeed in some way different from those who do not, this is known as a nonresponse errorö (Survey 2004, 1). In contrast to these two kinds of errors, interview error occurs when some kind of interviewer bias is introduced into the process of obtaining information. Examples of interview bias can be an interviewer who tries to elicit specific answers from interviewees by stressing certain words or questions. Interview error can also occur through nonverbal bias such as facial expressions, body language, or dress. Researchers maintain that such errors can be reduced or eliminated through careful wording of questions and by interviewers being aware of body language during the interview process.
Research techniques. Viewed on Jul 29, 2004: http://www.ryerson. ca/~mjoppe/ResearchProcess/SurveyTechniques.htm, 1-2.
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