Something to think about

Question 1: Why is non-response such a problem for sociologists?

Question 2: Not all questionnaires are sent through the post. Sometimes questionnaires are given out to a group of people to fill in themselves and then collected in by the researcher afterwards. What advantages could there be in using this method? Might there be any disadvantages? (Consider response rate, expense, size of sample, bias, fulness of answers.)

Question 3: ‘Questionnaires are more likely to impose the researcher’s own meanings than to reveal those of the respondent.’ Explain the meaning of this statement in your own words, taking account of what questions are asked, interpretation, what is seen as important, distortion, and validity.