SURVEY MATERIALS COLLECTED IN THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: SAMPLING, MEASUREMENT AND INTERVIEWING OBSTACLES TO INTRA- AND INTER-NATIONAL COMPARISONS

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 17, Heft 4, S. 665-686

Abstract

A shortened version of publication No. A-54 of the Survey Res Center, U of California, Berkeley, on the collection, methodological evaluation, & distribution of existing survey materials collected in developing countries, for comparison purposes. The major problems for the comparative res'er are classified as (A) Sampling errors: (1) poor workmanship, (2) incompleteness of coverage & lack of comparability of sampling frames, (3) problems of relevancy of cluster & quota sampling, (4) obstacles to soc & cultural accessibility (noncompletion rates); (B) Measurement errors: (i) over-sophistication of questions asked by res'ers leading to meaningless evidence, (ii) difficulties of conceptual & linguistic equivalence; (C) Interview bias: (a) biased data because of presence of clinical witnesses, (b) courtesy bias, (c) interviewer-R status congruency. These problems are examined & brought to the attention of comparative res'ers. Some suggestions as to how they can be overcome are made. M. Maxfield.