Final answer:
To reduce ia. tem breakoffs, researchers should include a "don't know" option in surveys, which helps obtain more accurate responses and ensures that participants are not pressured to provide an answer when unsure.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to reduce item breakoffs, it is useful for a researcher to offer the "don't know" option with questions that require mental effort. Providing this option helps to avoid pressuring respondents into giving inaccurate answers or choosing an option arbitrarily when they are unsure. It can also minimize the effects of social desirability bias, where respondents give answers they think are more socially acceptable rather than their true thoughts or feelings, thereby potentially skewing survey results.
Intentionally omitting relevant data, or item omissions, can create bias in the sample, which affects the validity of the study's findings. Ensuring that all members of the target sample are interviewed and offering a suitable range of response options, including the "don't know" choice, is essential for gathering accurate and reliable data that represents the diverse perspectives within a population.