The use of precoded and open-ended questions for the collection of age and income information : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies at Massey University

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to determine the following points: 1) what effect the use of an open-ended format had on the reply rates to age and income questions; 2) what effect the method of data collection has on the reply rates to age and income questions; 3) whether any difference that occurs due to the interviewer and/or the contents of the survey; and 4) what factors about the interviewer and/or contents of the survey that may be causing this difference. The research was conducted in three stages. The first stage was the estimating of reply rates for open-ended and precoded age and income questions. These reply rates were estimated using each of the different data collection methods. A split sample design was used for each survey. Eight surveys being conducted by Massey University's Market Research Centre and Marketing Department were used in this stage of the research. Half of each sample received precoded age and income questions; the other half had open-ended questions.