Question

A telephone survey is being administered by several interviewers in order to collect data regarding the outcome in a randomised controlled trial. Identify the key issues the researchers should have considered in order to minimise measurement error of the outcome. Discuss the impact these issues may have on the study. [4 points]

Answer 1

The key issues the researchers should have considered in order to minimise measurement error of the outcome in the case of a telephone survey is being administered by several interviewers in order to collect data regarding the outcome in a randomised controlled trial are based on the fact that the telephone survey is likely to have Non- Response Bias bcause of the following reasons:(i) There is no incentive or compulsion in answering the survey questions asked by the interviewer through telephone and (ii) Some people may not be having telephones and thus they become non - represented in the sample. This makes the response rate very low, mking the survey results unreliable. To minimise measurement error of the outcome, the researchers should do the following: (i) first make the respondant understand the seriousness of the issue so that he does not ignore it, (ii) make the survey questions simple, unambiguous and deviod of personal enquiries which can make the respendant giving false response.