Secret Code Numbers On Surveys Explained

Arthur J. Morgan, partner in Erdos and Morgan, the research firm conducting the "National College Survey," said yesterday that it was not possible for anyone to discover the identity of any of the people who answered the surveys through the code numbers that were on the polls. According to Morgan, as soon as the questionnaire is received it is checked against the numbered list "by a responsible member of our organization" and the name eliminated.

The reason for the number, Morgan asserted, was to reduce the margin of error, and to eliminate what is known as the "bias of non-answerers." "We therefore cross off our list," he continued, "all those who answer ... We are only interested in those who do not answer."

The "National College Survey" is a poll sent out to over 10,000 students in more than 50 colleges and universities "to learn something about the college market."