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Measurement errors in survey questions: Explaining response variability

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Abstract

In this paper, the response variability in questions from the Swedish Survey of Living Conditions, is studied. A multivariate study of the variation over questions has been done. This study uses questions as statistical units. The questions have been classified in a number of respects, dealing with question character and structure, what the questions ask about and what they require from the interviewee. The study shows that a substantial part of the response variability, i.e., the variation in reliability, can be explained by a few characteristics of the questions.

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Wikman, A., Wärneryd, B. Measurement errors in survey questions: Explaining response variability. Social Indicators Research 22, 199–212 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00354840

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