Cynthia is conducting a survey on the prevalence and patterns of substance abuse in her city. Which of the following problems is Cynthia likely to encounter while using this method of data collection?
Select one:
a. the assumption that a person’s behavior is consistent and stable
b. the inability to sample a large number of people
c. the assumption that surveys have to be conducted only in person
d. the fact that some participants may not tell the truth and will instead give socially acceptable answers
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
d. the fact that some participants may not tell the truth and will instead give socially acceptable answers
Explanation:
Cynthia is conducting a survey on the prevalence and patterns of substance abuse in her city, which means she is likely relying on self-reported data from participants. One significant problem with using surveys, particularly on sensitive topics like substance abuse, is social desirability bias. This is when participants may not provide honest answers due to the social pressures of wanting to appear in a socially acceptable light. Many people might be reluctant to admit to behaviors like substance abuse because they fear judgment or negative consequences. As a result, they may underreport or deny their substance use, even if the behavior is part of their routine.
Social desirability bias is especially common when the subject matter involves illegal or socially frowned-upon activities like drug use. Respondents may also alter their answers to reflect what they believe the researcher wants to hear, making it difficult for Cynthia to get an accurate representation of the prevalence and patterns of substance abuse in her city.
This issue with honesty in self-reports can undermine the reliability and validity of the data collected. Therefore, it is important for Cynthia to consider methods to reduce this bias, such as ensuring anonymity, framing questions in a neutral way, and using techniques like randomized response to encourage more honest reporting.
Why the other options are less likely:
- a. the assumption that a person’s behavior is consistent and stable: While this could be a concern in some types of studies, surveys typically account for variability in behavior over time. Substance use may fluctuate, so this assumption isn’t always central to the method.
- b. the inability to sample a large number of people: This is a practical concern, but it’s less of a fundamental issue with surveys themselves. With proper design, surveys can be distributed to a large number of people, especially through online platforms or mass distribution methods.
- c. the assumption that surveys have to be conducted only in person: Surveys can be conducted in various formats, including online, via telephone, or by mail, so this is not a significant limitation.
Therefore, the most likely issue Cynthia will encounter is the tendency of participants to give socially acceptable answers when discussing substance abuse.