TIME SEQUENCE AND THE RESPONSE ERROR.

The authors look at the problem of response error in research. Some of the work that has been done on response error are reviewed, and areas which have not received the proper attention are pointed out. For a number of years research people have been interested in the problem of estimating sampling errors. For a time, the attainment of reasonable accuracy in this area seemed to be sufficient, but gradually it was realized that errors arising in the non sampling area were equally important. One of the pioneering studies on memory error was that done in the early 1930's by Read Bain at Miami University. He was interested in getting data from his students which might be of value in the discussion of vocational problems. This stability of response is not a problem limited solely to formalized types of questionnaires, but also occurs in the area of observation. The Institute of Human Relations at Yale University has used motion pictures to study technical problems which cannot be solved adequately by data from life situations.