PRC Survey Design & Administration 2

Question 1

Which scale type assigns numbers to categories without implying order or magnitude?

Accepted Answer

Nominal scale

Answer

A nominal scale uses numbers purely as labels or identifiers, with no implied ranking or distance between categories.

Question 2

A researcher wants to measure customer satisfaction using a 5-point scale from 'Very Dissatisfied' to 'Very Satisfied.' What scale type is this?

Accepted Answer

Ordinal

Answer

This is an ordinal scale because responses have a meaningful order but the intervals between points are not necessarily equal.

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a pilot test in survey research?

Accepted Answer

To identify problems with question wording, flow, and length before full deployment

Answer

A pilot test detects ambiguous wording, confusing instructions, and technical issues before the survey is launched at scale.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes 'telescoping error' in survey research?

Accepted Answer

Respondents recall events as occurring more recently than they actually did

Answer

Telescoping error occurs when respondents compress time and place events closer to the present than they actually happened.

Question 5

In a self-administered questionnaire, what is the recommended maximum number of open-ended questions to minimize respondent burden?

Accepted Answer

No more than 3–5

Answer

Research practice recommends limiting open-ended questions to 3–5 in self-administered surveys to reduce fatigue and improve completion rates.

(PRC) Professional Researcher Certification Practice Test