Note to researchers: If you want demographic data that is reliable, provide a ‘prefer not to say’ option for sensitive questions, otherwise you may get some very interesting results.
I have a habit of submitting online surveys when I’m given the chance and have time to kill, no matter how lame they are. However when a survey asks for personally identifiable data (pii) or sensitive data, I stop the survey at that point or provide intentionally fake info. I’m sure I’m not the only one who make less than $20,000 and live in zip code 90210. 
The following comes from a survey sent to me by a Survey Spot , a research company which sends me email from time-to-time (three times daily). How could I not be tempted to skew their results?
Which of the following best describes your household�s annual income from all sources before taxes? (Please select one answer only)
Less than $20,000
$20,000 – $34,999 |
After getting that question, I gave false survey responses throughout the rest of the survey. Now you know who to blame if a company introduces catastrophic insurance covering early termination of cell phone contracts, an On*Star type service for a cell phone (to always know your location in the event of an emergency), or extended warranty for [unknown] computer software.Â
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