FIGURE 3
Refusal Conversion Script
Hello, my name is __________________________________.
I am a field supervisor with SRBI, a national research organization
in New York. I believe that someone in your household may have been
contacted by one of our interviewers concerning a public policy study
that we are conducting for the U.S. Department of Transportation in
Washington, D.C.
Yes, respondent...........1
Yes, other................2
No, don't recall..........3
1. In order to assess the effectiveness
of current traffic laws, the U.S. Department of Transportation
is conducting a study of Americans' attitudes about current driving
laws. It is a public opinion study that will help the government to
consider traffic laws in light of what the public really wants and
does. It only takes about fifteen minutes and it's strictly confidential.
Willing to proceed........1 GO TO SELECTION GRID
Refuses...................2
2.
I understand. My job as a field supervisor is to find out if there
are any problems with our surveys or interviewers that are discouraging
people from participating. Could you tell me if we have done something
wrong or is there something about the interview that concerns you?
IF:
I don't do surveys.
ANSWER: I understand, but this survey examines
whether our traffic laws are realistic and appropriate in terms
of what people really want and really do. The results may affect laws
in your state. It is really important.
IF: I don't know if you
are who you say you are.
ANSWER: I can give you our 800 number to call
and confirm the authenticity of the study.
IF: I don't know how the
results will be used.
ANSWER: The Department of Transportation has
been charged to collect information about public opinion and behavior
related to traffic laws, in order to assist them in determining whether
certain laws should be changed or not. That's why we need to talk to
you.
IF: I don't drive.
ANSWER: Then the interview should only take
a few minutes. Even if you don't drive, we need to get your opinion
about some traffic laws that may affect you as a pedestrian. We also
need a little background about non-drivers, but it won't take long
at all.
IF: Don't know enough.
ANSWER: This is an opinion survey about driving,
traffic safety and traffic laws based on your experience. We need to
talk to all kinds of people to get a true picture of what ordinary Americans
think, not just what "experts" say.
IF: I don't want the government
to know about me/ what I do.
ANSWER: The interview is strictly confidential.
Your telephone number was selected at random. As soon as we complete
the interview and verify it, we destroy the phone number. No one will
ever know who you are. We do this so that you can be comfortable in
telling us what you really think, not what you think the government wants
to hear.
IF: It's a bad time.
ANSWER: We can schedule a callback for
a time that would be good for you.
Date _____________ Time _____________________
IF
STILL HESITANT SAY:It is really important that we represent the
views and experience of people like yourself so that the findings will
be fair and accurate. You don't often get a chance to participate in
studies that may affect the laws in your community. It's really important
and we really want to represent your household in the study. If now
is a bad time, we can schedule the interview during the day, in the evening,
or on the weekend whenever is better for you.
(IF SUGGESTS A TIME
MORE THAN TWO WEEKS HENCE:
We are supposed to finish the study by
the end of (February/March). Could we find some time this week (or next)
to do the interview?)
Date _____________ Time _____________________
IF
AGREEABLE, GO TO THE SELECTION GRID.
IF STILL REFUSES, THANK AND COMPLETE. |