Which source of polling bias is most closely associated with differences in how surveys are administered (phone, online, in-person)?

Prepare for your Honors Voting and Elections Exam. Study with practice questions and detailed explanations. Ace your test!

Mode effects in survey research explain how the way a survey is conducted can shape respondents’ answers. When a survey is done by phone, online, or in person, people may respond differently because of perceived privacy, social pressure, or the presence (or absence) of an interviewer. For instance, online surveys can feel more anonymous, encouraging candor on sensitive topics, while in-person or phone interviews can lead to social desirability or interviewer influence. The mode also affects who is reachable and willing to participate, creating differences in who responds. This combination of response-shaping and participation differences is the bias linked directly to how surveys are administered.

The other factors listed relate to things outside the administration method, such as weather affecting turnout, ballot color influencing choices, or campaign finance rules—none of which describe how responses change because of the survey's mode.