We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
QUESTIONNAIRE-RETURN BIAS IN THE STUDY OF BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS.
- Authors
Schwirian, Kent P.; Blaine, Harry R.
- Abstract
This article shows the pervasive nature of the bias both by substantive topic investigated and by population method in the study of blue-collar workers. The data for this paper are from a study of the social and political characteristics of members of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union. A sample of 226 members of the UAW local were randomly selected and mailed questionnaires. A total of 26.5 per cent returned the instruments after the first mailing. Since past research has shown that those returning differ significantly from those who do not, a second mailing was made to the 166 not responding to the first mailing. Twenty-seven per cent responded to the second mailing. The total percentage of the sample responding to both mailing was 46.5. The data obtained by the questionnaire may be classified into two major types: the personal and political characteristics of the respondents, and their attitude toward the union's participation in political affairs. Specific measures of personal and political characteristics include political party preference, political preferences of family of orientation presidential candidate voted for in 1960, attitude toward the Federal government, attitude toward the United Nations, political activities such as writing letters to Congressmen, frequency of talking politics, job satisfaction, and estimation of potential for occupational mobility.
- Subjects
BLUE collar workers; PREJUDICES; LABOR unions; QUESTIONNAIRES; MAIL surveys; MAILINGS; RESPONDENTS; ATTITUDE (Psychology); OCCUPATIONAL mobility
- Publication
Public Opinion Quarterly, 1966, Vol 30, Issue 4, p656
- ISSN
0033-362X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1086/267463