Interviewer Preferences for Respondent Groups

Abstract

Interviewer effects upon respondents are documented, but little is known about interviewer preferences and experiences. Questionnaire data obtained from 188 interviewers regarding their experience with and preferences for 18 targets and six locales indicates that patients form a preference factor distinct from other groups (common folk, dangerous people, children, and elites) and ranked fourth in preference out of the five groups. Six locales formed a Guttman Scale with the interviewing office the favored environment. Interviewers' experiences are not specialized; suggesting that interviewer recruitment can be broad based. Experience with patients increases preference for patients and preference for less controlled locales.