A local agency mails surveys asking residents if a media campaign changed their daily driving behavior. This is an example of what type of survey?

• A. Observational survey of behavior
• B. Randomized trial
• C. Stated preference - self reported behavior
• D. Administrative data review

Answer: (C)

The question tests how data are collected about people’s behavior. Since the agency is asking residents to report whether a media campaign changed their own driving habits, the information comes from what people say about their own actions. This is self-reported behavior gathered through a survey, often categorized as a stated preference approach because it relies on respondents’ reports of their behavior rather than direct observation or existing records.

Why the others don’t fit: there’s no direct observation of driving behavior, so it isn’t an observational survey; there’s no random assignment or control groups, so it isn’t a randomized trial; and it isn’t using existing administrative records, so it isn’t an administrative data review.