Final answer:
Surveys can have inaccuracies due to respondent errors, non-response bias, and lack of knowledge. Improvement strategies include better question design, careful sample selection, and respondent knowledge assessment to ensure more accurate and representative data.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Survey Issues and Improvements
Surveys can be compromised by various factors leading to inaccurate results. Respondents may make errors due to mistaken recall or the desire to portray themselves in a better light, referred to as social desirability bias. Additionally, surveys can suffer from non-response bias, where varying rates of participation across different segments of the population may skew the results. Respondents lacking sufficient knowledge may provide inaccurate responses, yet are reluctant to admit their lack of understanding.
To improve a survey, one might implement the following strategies:
It is also essential to be mindful of survey design, such as clear wording of questions and consideration of interviewer characteristics to prevent interviewer bias. Internet surveys can be particularly susceptible to self-selection bias, as they often rely on voluntary participation, which may not match the general population's characteristics.