The phone just rang. I picked it up and heard: “Could I speak with the youngest female in the household who is eligible to vote?” My reply: “Sorry, we’re busy.”
I’m either a traitor to my profession by not participating in a poll, or a contributor by increasing the problem of missing data.
When somebody from a reliable research institute called and asked to interview a male in the household, I was so disappointed!
I'd say that you are a traitor. The problem of missing data would arise anyway.
I always ask whether they're planning to compensate me for my time… if not, I tell them that my time is valuable to me, and that I'm not in the habit of giving it away.
Seinfeld: "Oh, gee, I can't talk right now. Why don't you give me your home number and I'll call you later."
Telemarketer: "Uh, sorry, we're not allowed to do that."
Seinfeld: "Oh, I guess you don't want people calling you at home."
Telemarketer: "No."
Seinfeld: "Well, now you know how I feel."