Question

Briefly describe what is meant by​ non-response bias in a survey and why you would expect to see it in teacher evaluations.

Answer 1

Non - response bias occurs when the people who participate in a survey or study are systematically different from those who did not participate in the survey.

For example, in a survey conducted in students to evaluate teachers, some students may not respond to the survey thinking it will badly affect their image. For example, students with poor marks may not respond. Non response may happen to many reasons, including;

1. Some students refused to participate, because you are asking about some sensitive information, or information about illegal activities.

2. The survey didn't reach all the intended students . The email invite or post invite didn't reach the expected students due to various reason's including incorrect address.

3. Poorly constructed surveys. Format of the survey is supported only in computers and not by smartphones, which will be very uncomfortable for the youngsters.

4. Students forget to return the survey.

5. Students didn't got enough time for responding.

How to avoid non - response bias.

1.  Thoroughly pretest your survey mediums. Make sure that the medium of survey is appropriate and easily accessible by all the survey students .

2. Provide adequate time for response.

3. Send reminders to students.

4. Ensure confidentiality of the students participating in survey.

5. Offer incentives to respond.

6. Keep surveys short in time and effective.