Non-Sampling Errors in Surveys Quiz 2025

What is a non-sampling error?

• Errors due to the act of sampling

• Systematic errors from survey design flaws

• Random errors in data collection

• Errors from a small sample size

Which error occurs when the target population is not fully represented?

• Response Error

• Non-response Error

• Coverage Error

• Interviewer Error

Answer explanation

Coverage Error occurs when certain groups within the target population are not included in the sample, leading to an incomplete representation. This is the correct choice as it directly relates to the issue of population representation.

What is an example of a coverage error?

• Overreporting gym attendance

• Interviewer nods approvingly

• Refusal to answer income survey

• Excludes people without internet

Answer explanation

Excluding people without internet is a coverage error because it means that a segment of the population is not represented in the survey, leading to biased results. This impacts the overall accuracy of the data collected.

Which error is caused by selected individuals failing to respond?

• Processing Error

• Non-response Error

• Coverage Error

• Response Error

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Non-response Error, which occurs when selected individuals do not respond to a survey or study, leading to incomplete data and potential bias in the results.

What is an example of a non-response error?

• Refusal to answer income survey

• Overreporting gym attendance

• Interviewer nods approvingly

• Excludes people without internet

Answer explanation

A non-response error occurs when individuals do not provide data, such as refusing to answer an income survey. This leads to incomplete data and potential bias in the results.

Which error involves respondents giving false or misleading answers?

• Response Error

• Non-response Error

• Coverage Error

• Interviewer Error

Answer explanation

Response Error occurs when respondents provide false or misleading answers, affecting the accuracy of survey results. This distinguishes it from other errors like Non-response Error, Coverage Error, and Interviewer Error.

What is an example of a response error?

• Interviewer nods approvingly

• Overreporting gym attendance

• Refusal to answer income survey

• Excludes people without internet

Answer explanation

Overreporting gym attendance is a response error because it involves providing inaccurate information, often due to social desirability bias, where respondents want to appear more active than they actually are.

Which error is caused by the surveyor's actions influencing responses?

• Interviewer Error

• Response Error

• Non-response Error

• Coverage Error

What is an example of an interviewer error?

• Overreporting gym attendance

• Refusal to answer income survey

• Excludes people without internet

• Interviewer nods approvingly

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Interviewer nods approvingly', illustrates an interviewer error by potentially influencing the respondent's answers through non-verbal cues, leading to biased data collection.

Which error occurs due to mistakes during data handling or entry?

• Coverage Error

• Processing Error

• Interviewer Error

• Response Error

Answer explanation

Processing Error occurs due to mistakes made during data handling or entry, such as incorrect data input or miscalculations. This distinguishes it from other errors like Coverage or Response Errors, which arise from different issues.