Final answer:
True, surveys and questionnaires can suffer from issues such as limited empathy with subjects, inflexible questions, the risk of over-interpretation, and numerous response biases that can impact the reliability of data.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major potential problems with surveys and questionnaires include limited opportunities for empathy with subjects, an inability to modify predetermined questions, the possibility of over-interpreting data, and various response biases. Response biases, such as interviewer bias or social desirability bias, can lead to inaccuracies in survey results. For instance, the way questions are phrased can alter respondents' answers, with research showing that slight wording changes can significantly impact opinions on topics such as government spending or climate change.
Additionally, the identity of interviewers can influence responses, with people occasionally responding differently based on the interviewer's social class, race, or gender. Response biases can occur when individuals misreport their true feelings, sometimes due to a desire to present themselves in a more favorable light. Lastly, non-response biases can skew results when certain groups are less likely to participate in surveys.