Final answer:
Telephone surveys face various problems including sample representativeness, selection bias, question wording, interviewer effects, response bias, and challenges related to online surveys like multiple submissions by the same person. Additionally, achieving a representative sample can be costly and time-consuming.
Step-by-step explanation:
Problems with Telephone Surveys in Gauging Public Opinion
While telephone surveys are commonly used to obtain public opinion, they face several challenges that can compromise their accuracy. One problem with these surveys is ensuring that the sample is representative of the broader population. In the context of political polling, which is a nuanced science, errors such as selection bias and question wording effects can skew the results. Additionally, interviewer effects, response bias, and social desirability can influence the answers received, thus affecting the reliability of the data.
Another significant issue arises when polls move online. Web surveys must be compatible with various devices and browsers, and it's more difficult to prevent a person from taking the same poll multiple times or from misrepresenting their demographics. This can result in challenges in calculating response rates and achieving a representative sample, which is essential for the validity of the survey.
Furthermore, traditional methods like face-to-face interviews, although expensive and time-consuming, might be employed in areas with lower telephone coverage to gain a more representative sample. Regardless of format, the design and execution of surveys must be meticulous to minimize errors and accurately reflect public opinion.