Don't Know Responses in Environmental Surveys

Abstract

Don't know responses in environmental assessment surveys pose difficulties in data interpretation. In this study, the issue of don't know responses on knowledge items in environmental surveys was addressed by ascertaining if the frequency of these responses was related to the sociodemographics of the respondents and to the types of environmental issues. The data showed fewer don't know responses when the environmental issue in question was highly observable. Gender and residence status in the community affected the propensity of respondents to give a don't know response. The findings suggest that even at the local level there is a need for a program of environmental education to help the citizenry become more informed and more involved in the decisionmaking process.