Final answer:
Kochkin (1994) discovered a higher frequency of certain responses among survey respondents than would be expected in the general population, indicating response bias. Selection bias from polling methods and the influence of an interviewer on responses affect the representativeness and reliability of survey data.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kochkin (1994) found that the respondents to his survey were not representative of the general population, having a higher frequency of certain responses than would be expected. This finding touches upon the issue of response bias, which can occur due to several factors including the method of contacting respondents and the presence of an interviewer. Modern trends, such as the shift away from landlines to cell phones, can contribute to selection bias, as certain demographic groups may not be as accessible through traditional means of contact. Furthermore, the presence of an interviewer can influence respondents to give socially desirable answers, a phenomenon seen in studies like Proposition 19 and in the research by Masuda and Nisbett which demonstrates cultural differences in perception and information recall. The reliability of polling data is thus influenced by these variables, as seen in the contrast between live interviews and automated calls.