Final answer:
The term 'interviewer effects' refers to biases that may arise in survey responses due to the characteristics of the interviewer. Minimizing these biases is crucial for accurate survey results. The social desirability bias, exemplified by the 'Bradley effect', also affects survey outcomes as respondents might report what they perceive as socially acceptable rather than their true opinions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the possibility that the mere presence of an interviewer, or that interviewer's personal characteristics, may lead the respondent to answer questions in a particular way, potentially biasing the survey, is known as interviewer effects. This type of bias can influence respondents' opinions and alter the outcome of a survey or poll. For instance, the social class of the interviewer, as well as the race or gender, might impact how respondents answer questions, as shown by various studies. It's essential for surveys to be crafted carefully to minimize these biases and ensure more accurate representations of public opinion.
Other biases, such as social desirability bias, can affect survey results. This occurs when respondents report their opinions in a manner that they believe will be viewed favorably by others or is 'politically correct,' which may not reflect their true feelings. An example of this would be the "Bradley effect", where there is a discrepancy between polled opinions and actual votes due to respondents not wanting to appear biased.