What type of error occurs when selected prospective respondents cannot be reached to participate in a survey?

The type of error that occurs when selected prospective respondents cannot be reached to participate in a survey is known as nonresponse error. This error arises when individuals chosen for a sample do not respond or participate in the research, leading to gaps in data and potential biases in the overall results.

Nonresponse error can occur for various reasons, such as individuals not being available, declining to participate, or not being reachable due to incorrect contact information. This can significantly affect the validity of the survey results, as the perspectives of nonrespondents may differ from those of respondents, potentially skewing the findings.

In this context, nonresponse error is critical to understand in marketing analysis and research methods, as it highlights the importance of effective sampling techniques and outreach strategies to ensure that a representative sample is achieved. When nonresponse is a concern, researchers may implement follow-up attempts or employ alternative methods to engage potential respondents, thereby striving for more accurate and reliable data.