American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What is one disadvantage of using telephone surveys compared to in-person surveys?

1. They are more time-consuming.

2. They can exclude individuals without phones.

3. They are less interactive.

4. They are more costly.

The correct answer is: They can exclude individuals without phones.

Telephone surveys present a limitation in that they exclude individuals who do not have access to a phone, which can skew the results and reduce the representativeness of the sample. This can particularly affect certain demographic groups, such as lower-income households, some elderly individuals, or those in remote areas where phone service may be limited or non-existent. The exclusion of these groups can lead to biased data, as their perspectives and needs may not be captured in the survey results. In contrast, in-person surveys allow for a broader reach, including those without phones, and can engage a more diverse group of participants. This inclusiveness is essential in gathering comprehensive data that reflects the entire population's views. Other factors, such as time consumption, interactivity, and cost, may vary but do not fundamentally address the issue of access as the correct choice does.