American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What is a potential issue with telephone surveys?

1. They are always biased

2. Some residents may have no phone

3. They take too long to process

4. They are the most expensive method available

The correct answer is: Some residents may have no phone

Telephone surveys can present a significant challenge in that some members of the target population may not have access to a phone. This lack of access can lead to incomplete data, as certain demographic groups may be underrepresented in the survey responses. For instance, individuals in lower-income households may rely on alternative communication methods or may not have a landline or mobile phone at all. Consequently, this could skew the results of the survey, as the views and opinions of those without phones are not captured, potentially leading to biased or unrepresentative findings. In this context, while telephone surveys can be efficient and cost-effective, the exclusion of individuals without phone access is a critical limitation that planners must consider when designing their research methodologies.