American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

One drawback of telephone surveys from a statistician's perspective is?

1. The high cost

2. Interviewer-introduced bias

3. Difficulty in reaching isolated populations

4. Lack of effectiveness

The correct answer is: Difficulty in reaching isolated populations

The selection highlights a significant challenge associated with telephone surveys: the difficulty in reaching isolated populations. This is pertinent because individuals living in remote or rural areas may not have reliable telephone access, leading to potential underrepresentation in survey results. This limitation can skew data and affect the overall reliability of findings, as the views and experiences of these isolated groups may not be captured. Telephone surveys require respondents to have access to a phone and be willing and able to participate in the survey, which excludes populations with limited telecommunications resources or who may not be comfortable using phone communication. It's crucial for statisticians to ensure that their sample accurately reflects the broader population they are studying; thus, the inaccessibility of certain groups poses an inherent challenge to achieving valid and representative results. Other potential drawbacks, such as high costs or interviewer-introduced bias, can be critical considerations but do not directly address the population accessibility issues that come with isolated demographics. Furthermore, while some may argue that telephone surveys are less effective than other methods, this is subjective and can vary widely depending on the context of the survey and its objectives. Hence, the focus on isolated populations underscores a fundamental concern in survey methodology, particularly regarding inclusivity and representation in research findings.