Identify the correct statements regarding survey research. A. A closed-ended…

Concept

Survey-method statements should be tested by matching each term to its standard definition, not by treating all recruitment or response-bias terms as interchangeable.

Closed-ended items supply predetermined response alternatives. Socially desirable responding is commonly analysed through self-deceptive enhancement or positivity and impression management, whereas chain referral is a feature of snowball sampling.

Application

• Statement A: A closed-ended question provides a fixed set of response alternatives, so the respondent selects from the supplied choices. This statement is valid.

• Statement B: Self-deceptive positivity describes an unintentionally favourable self-presentation and is treated as a component of socially desirable responding. This statement is valid.

• Statement C: Impression management describes deliberate control of self-presentation to appear favourable and is also a component of socially desirable responding. This statement is valid.

• Statement D: Active recruitment of additional members through an initial participant is chain-referral or snowball sampling. A key informant is selected for specialised knowledge and need not recruit the sample. This statement is not valid.

Cross-check and contrast

• A closed-ended item constrains the response format; it does not predetermine which response a person must choose.

• Self-deceptive positivity is relatively unintentional, while impression management is more deliberate; both concern socially desirable responding.

• Key-informant sampling seeks knowledgeable informants, whereas snowball sampling expands through referrals from existing participants.

Therefore, the correct combination is A, B and C only.