Zalupljena vrata: Empirijska analiza iskazanih razloga odbijanja ankete
Slammed Door: Empirical Analysis of Survey Refusal Reasons

Summary/Abstract: Recently the frequent refusal of participation in surveys represents a growing problem because it is threatening the probabilistic nature of the sample, and thus the validity of the data gathered in the survey. In this paper the authors attempted to examine the reasons for accepting or refusing participation in surveys by analysing and comparing the answers given by the persons who agreed to participate in the survey against those who refused to do so. The theories used so far in attempts of interpreting survey refusal served as a referential framework. A questionnaire about participation/non-participation in surveys was used to examine a sample of 408 citizens of Zagreb, 293 of which agreed to while 115 refused to do the survey. It was proved that among the reasons offered for participation in the survey the most significant ones were those connected with the interviewers, while the most frequent reasons for survey non-participation were a lack of time or momentary indisposition. A comparison between persons who refused to and those who agreed to participate in the survey showed that the decision of the latter is predominantly influenced by the wish to assist the interviewer and generally by the interviewer’s assessment, as well as by a greater belief in the importance of surveys and a stronger need to express one’s own opinion. The reasons for refusing a survey are grouped into two factors, momentary indisposition and dislike of interviewer. The research indicates that participation or nonparticipation in questionnaires in conditions of typical surveys can best be explained by the theory of pro-social behaviour and assistance.

• Details
• Contents