responden

Responden is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to refer to a person who provides data in research. A responden is typically a participant in surveys, interviews, or experiments who answers questions or completes tasks that generate data for analysis. In quantitative research, respondents answer structured questionnaires; in qualitative research, the terms responden or informant are used for individuals providing insights, experiences, or expert knowledge.

Responden selection involves defining inclusion criteria and employing sampling methods such as simple random, stratified, cluster, or convenience sampling to obtain a representative subset of the population. The number of responden is determined by the study design, desired statistical precision, and available resources. The response rate, the proportion of invited individuals who participate, affects potential bias.

Ethical considerations include informed consent, voluntary participation, confidentiality, and data protection. Researchers should minimize respondent burden and avoid leading questions. Data quality issues—non-response bias, misreporting, and respondent error—can affect results; techniques like weighting, validation questions, and careful questionnaire design help address these issues.

In practice, the term is used across disciplines such as social sciences, market research, and public health. While acceptable as a general term, some qualitative studies prefer informant or participant to emphasize role and context. The concept of the responden is central to the reliability and generalizability of research findings.