Question

Anonymous? Confidential? One of the most important non-government surveys in the United States is the National Opinion Research Center’s General Social Survey. The GSS regularly monitors public opinion on a wide variety of political and social issues. Interviews are conducted in person in the subject’s home. Are a subject’s responses to GSS questions anonymous, confidential, or both? Explain your answer.

Short answer

It is confidential.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

The GSS tracks public opinion on a wide range of political and social issues on a regular basis.

Concept

Individuals are purposely subjected to a treatment in order to measure their responses in an experiment.

Explanation

The GSS surveys public opinion on a variety of political and social issues on a regular basis, as stated in the question. In-person interviews were performed at the subject's residence. Because the interviews are performed in person at the subject's home, the subject's responses to GSS questions are not anonymous, but they are confidential because the interviewer will not discuss the results of a specific individual.