Publisher's Synopsis
The book sets out to analyse the components of non-response in sample surveys and their causes and ways of improving response. Original research is presented based on tape recordings of doorstep interactions between interviewers and prospective respondents, in-depth interviews with respondents and discussions with interviewers in order to identify the interpersonal skills required by the successful interviewer. It is argued that these can be taught using social skills training methods. The actual doorstep situation has not previously been studied and the training of interviewers in the required skills is sketchy and haphazard. The book sets out to increase awareness of the importance of high response rates and to establish what management strategies and training methods can improve them. - - Interviewer Approaches examines the problems of gaining cooperation on sample surveys and evaluates the most effective techniques currently available for achieving optimum response levels. As a result of this study, solid data is now available about this process, which enables good practice to be distinguished from bad. In turn, these successful methods can be emphasized in interviewer training courses.
