Final answer:
The accuracy of self-reports in survey research may be suspect when participants may have memory recall issues, are closely supervised during data collection, when dealing with self-selected samples, or due to flawed survey design that introduces measurement error.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accuracy of self-reports in survey research can be questionable under certain conditions. Specifically, the reliability of self-reports may be compromised when:
- Participants may have memory recall issues, leading to inaccurate reporting of past behaviors or experiences.
- Respondents might also report inaccurately due to social desirability bias or when they are closely supervised during data collection, potentially leading them to provide answers they believe are expected or acceptable.
- Although not listed in the options, it is worth noting that self-selected samples, such as those from internet surveys, are often unreliable because the data comes only from respondents who choose to participate.
Furthermore, sample size issues can influence the quality of survey data. While large samples are generally preferable, they are not immune to bias, especially if the large sample is not representative of the broader population. It is important to select sample respondents carefully to avoid skewed results, regardless of the sample size.
The design of the survey, including question wording and the format of questioning, can also introduce errors. For example, different phrasing can lead to altered responses, and data collected through self-reports is typically less detailed than information gathered through methods like case studies.