Administrative Error
Encyclopedia
Improper administration or execution of a survey results in administrative errors. Such errors can be caused by carelessness, confusion, neglect, omission or another blunder.
There are four types of administrative errors.
because of incorrect data entry, incorrect computer programming
or other error during data analysis.
: an administrative error caused by improper selection of a sample
during a survey
, resulting in accidental bias
in the results.
to correctly pose questions or record responses. Interviewer error generally leads to biased results, and perhaps to an increase in variability.
while working as an interviewer.
There are four types of administrative errors.
Data-processing error
A category of administrative error that occurs in data processingData processing
Computer data processing is any process that a computer program does to enter data and summarise, analyse or otherwise convert data into usable information. The process may be automated and run on a computer. It involves recording, analysing, sorting, summarising, calculating, disseminating and...
because of incorrect data entry, incorrect computer programming
Computer programming
Computer programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in one or more programming languages. The purpose of programming is to create a program that performs specific operations or exhibits a...
or other error during data analysis.
Sample selection error
Selection biasSelection bias
Selection bias is a statistical bias in which there is an error in choosing the individuals or groups to take part in a scientific study. It is sometimes referred to as the selection effect. The term "selection bias" most often refers to the distortion of a statistical analysis, resulting from the...
: an administrative error caused by improper selection of a sample
Sample (statistics)
In statistics, a sample is a subset of a population. Typically, the population is very large, making a census or a complete enumeration of all the values in the population impractical or impossible. The sample represents a subset of manageable size...
during a survey
Statistical survey
Survey methodology is the field that studies surveys, that is, the sample of individuals from a population with a view towards making statistical inferences about the population using the sample. Polls about public opinion, such as political beliefs, are reported in the news media in democracies....
, resulting in accidental bias
Bias
Bias is an inclination to present or hold a partial perspective at the expense of alternatives. Bias can come in many forms.-In judgement and decision making:...
in the results.
Interviewer error
This type of administrative error is caused by failure of an interviewerInterview
An interview is a conversation between two people where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.- Interview as a Method for Qualitative Research:"Definition" -...
to correctly pose questions or record responses. Interviewer error generally leads to biased results, and perhaps to an increase in variability.
Interviewer cheating
The practice of filling in fake answers or falsifying questionnairesQuestionnaire
A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is not always the case...
while working as an interviewer.