Final answer:
It is true that response latency refers to the time a respondent takes before answering a question (a). It is a subject of concern due to the impact of declining response rates on the accuracy of public opinion polls and the integrity of scientific research. Response rates are influenced by technological changes and public skepticism, while scientific polling requires random sampling and avoidance of leading questions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that response latency is the amount of time a respondent deliberates before answering a question is true. Response latency is an important factor in survey research and psychology as it provides insight into the cognitive processing of the respondent. Reasons for the decline in response rates over the past decade may include the increased use of mobile devices, the rise of survey scams, and the general public's growing reluctance to participate in surveys.
Researchers are particularly concerned about the declining response rates because it can affect the representativeness and accuracy of public opinion polls. If certain groups are less likely to respond to surveys, the results may not accurately reflect the true distribution of opinions within the broader population. This can lead to biases in the data which can misinform policy decisions and public perception about certain topics.
In the context of scientific polling, leading questions are considered detrimental to the design because they can influence the respondents' answers. Whereas, a random sample is essential for the generalization of the poll results to the larger population. Finally, the term 'residence time' refers to the average time a molecule spends in its reservoir, which is essential for understanding certain scientific processes and systems.