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Front Matter -- Copyright -- Contents -- PREFACE -- CHAPTER 1 THE SEMINAR -- CHAPTER 2 AFTER THE SEMINAR -- APPENDIX A BACKGROUND PAPERS -- APPENDIX B DESIGNING AND BUILDING THE BRIDGE -- APPENDIX C BACKGROUND MATERIALS FOR THE SEMINAR -- APPENDIX D BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PARTICIPANTS -- INDEX.

The electronic survey, a text processing program used to self-administer a computer-based questionnaire, is examined as a research tool. The electronic survey can reduce processing costs because it automates the transformation of raw data into computer-readable form. It can combine advantages of interviews (eg, prompts, complex branching) with those of paper mail surveys (eg, standardization, anonymity). To determine how the electronic survey affects the responses of people who use it, an experimental sample survey (N = 100) was conducted on health attitudes, behaviors, & personal traits, using two forms of administration: electronic & paper mail. Closed-end responses in the electronic survey were less socially desirable & tended to be more extreme than were responses in the paper survey. Open-ended responses that could be edited by Rs were relatively long & disclosing. These findings are consistent with other research on computer-mediated communication, raising general issues about using computers to collect self-report data. 1 Table, 20 References. AA

A review essay on Peter H. Rossi's, James D. Wright's, & Andy G. Anderson's Handbook of Survey Research (New York: Academic Press, 1983 [see listing in IRPS No. 31]). Although it is conceded that this book offers the most comprehensive treatment of the major issues in the design & analysis of survey research topics (sampling, data collection, treatment of missing data, & survey organization), problems with direction & editing are identified. Each chapter seems to address a different audience, ranging from novice to veteran researcher, although few aim at the general-survey practitioner, who requires more advanced treatment of these issues. Caution is advised before buying this somewhat expensive reference text. W. Adams

A paradox of survey research is that, while it is based on asking questions that appear to seek information, the information elicited is usually difficult to interpret because results are often influenced by how questions are worded. This influence is usually compensated for by holding questions constant & observing longitudinal or cross-sectional differences in responses. Emphasis on the content of answers to a survey disregards several problems that can arise in formulating questions. Three main strategies are used to cope with this problem: inclusion of open-ended questions in all surveys; asking a wide variety of questions on an issue; & seeking aid from representatives of both sides in formulating questions. Personal experience in conducting a survey of attitudes toward use of unclaimed dogs & cats in medical research illustrates these strategies, especially the last. W. H. Stoddard

THIS PAPER PRESENTS A PLEA FOR A RETURN TO POLITICAL SUBJECTIVITY AND THE PSYCHOANALYTIC PARADIGM AS A PROPER DOMAIN OF POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY. Q METHODOLOGY IS PROPOSED AS A TECHNIQUE ESPECIALLY SUITED FOR AN EMPIRICAL APPROACH TO THE PSYCHOANALYTIC STUDY OF POLITICAL SUBJECTIVITY. SELECTED CASE STUDIES ILLUSTRATE ITS THEORY AND TECHNIQUE IN PSYCHOANALYTIC APPLICATIONS.

Trends in consumers' willingness to be surveyed as well as attitudes toward being interviewed & toward the survey research industry in general were examined via telephone interviews with national probability samples of US households as part of the biennial Industry Image Studies conducted in 1978, 1980, 1982, & 1984 (N = approximately 500 Rs each year). The results raise some important questions in terms of multiple participation & its effect on the validity of survey data. They also challenge researchers to examine their own standards & practices in order to enhance the relationship between researchers & the participants. 4 Tables, 5 Figures, 1 Reference. Modified HA

The effect of a confidentiality reminder was tested during a telephone survey of a general sample (N = 385 Rs) in a metropolitan area of southern Nev: 50% were given the reminder just prior to the demographic questions; the other 50% were not reminded. The results show no significant differences on the distribution of nonsubstantive responses between the 2 groups. There is some evidence that the confidentiality reminder had a negative effect on data quality. 1 Table, 5 References. Modified AA

The assumption that reporting errors are uncorrelated across survey items was tested using data from the 1949 Denver (Colo) Community Survey. R reports (N = 920) to 14 questions in that study were later validated with official records. Inaccuracy was found to be item-specific for questions about 7 generally unrelated subjects. By contrast, for 7 questions on electoral behavior, all of which were significantly associated, the assumption of uncorrelated errors was clearly violated: Rs inaccurate on 1 of the 7 were disproportionately inaccurate on each of the other 6. This held for groups defined by sex, age, education, & political interest. The correlated error term, combined with a tendency for levels of inaccuracy to be greater for those who express higher political interest, substantially increased the size of the r between voting & political interest. The implications of these results for survey research are discussed. 5 Tables, 1 Appendix, 19 References. Modified AA.

An examination of information disclosed to potential Rs in survey introductions as revealed by a sample of 78 introductions obtained by mail from members of the American Assoc of PO Research. Frequencies of provision of 13 types of information are determined. Greater amounts of information are provided in mail surveys &, to an extent, in surveys by academic institutions or on sensitive topics. For both ethical (informed consent) & methodological reasons, professional norms regarding information provided in survey introductions should be further examined. 1 Table, 30 References. Modified HA.

Previous studies have shown that a substantial number of people will offer opinions on fictitious topics in the context of a survey interview. The results of a split-ballot experiment (& a replication) with three fictitious public affairs issues suggest that people give opinions on such matters in large part because of the pressure to answer survey questions that is created by the way in which the questions are asked & by the manner in which "don't know" responses are handled by the interviewer. Findings of the telephone interview surveys (N not given) also indicate that there may be little or no relationship between an individual's willingness to admit ignorance & his or her inclination to volunteer opinions on fictitious issues, as measured by at least one item from the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. In addition, the data demonstrate that blacks & less well-educated Rs are more likely than their counterparts to offer opinions on fictitious issues. 1 Appendix, 9 References. AA

A set of systematic survey-based measures of state party identification & ideology is presented based on data from 51 CBS News-New York Times telephone polls for the period 1976-1982 (N = 76,614 Rs). A methodology for analyzing the survey responses is detailed, & resulting estimates of interstate variances of mass orientations & political loyalties are tested. A brief analysis of state partisanship in recent presidential elections is then submitted to show the usefulness of the estimates in comparative state analyses. Future research is proposed to further correlate patterns of public policy to state political orientation. 4 Tables, 1 Figure, 32 References. Modified HA