Comment on the following field situations.
a. After conducting a survey with 10 people, an interviewer noticed that many of the respondents were saying “Was I right?” after a particular question.
b. A questionnaire asking about a new easy-opening can has the following instructions to interviewers:
(Hand respondent can and matching instruction card.)
“Would you please read the instructions on this card and then open this can for me?” (Interviewer: any comments respondent makes. Do not under any circumstances help him or her to open the can or offer any explanation as to how to open it. If respondent asks for help, tell him that the instructions are on the card. Do not discuss the can or its contents.)
c. A researcher gives balloons to children of respondents to keep the children occupied during the interview.
d. An interviewer tells the supervisor, “With the price of gas, this job isn’t paying as well as before!”
e. When a respondent asks how much time the survey will take, the interviewer responds, “15 to 20 minutes.” The respondent says, “I’m sorry, I have to refuse. I can’t give you that much time right now.”