![Sample our Social Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110822/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Social-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
Past efforts to use preference surveys to affect policy decisions have more often been based on ideological hope than a realistic assessment of how well surveys usually measure such preferences. Methodological constraints and costs forced researchers to use an inherrently inadequate approach to such surveys, which I call the “independent survey.” Recently developed survey technologies, notably reliable mail and telephone data collection methods make it possible to overcome these problems through the use of a far more appropriate “synchronized survey.”
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Don A. Dillman
Dr. Dillman is associate professor, Department of Sociology, and Chairman, Department of Rural Sociology, at Washington State University. A revised and substantially condensed version of a paper presented at the National Conference on Nonmetropolitan Community Services Research, January 13, 1977, Fawcett Center for Tomorrow, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. The full length version is available from the author. Work on this paper was supported under project 0228 of the College of Agriculture Research Center, Washington State University, Scientific paper #4774. The helpful comments and other assistance provided by Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr., research assistant in the Department of Rural Sociology at Washington State University are acknowledged, with thanks.