What strategy helps ensure that participation in a sensitive survey remains voluntary?

Allowing participants to skip any question they wish is an effective strategy to ensure that participation in a sensitive survey remains voluntary. This approach respects the autonomy of the participants, especially when dealing with sensitive topics that might evoke discomfort or reluctance to answer certain questions. By enabling participants to skip questions, the survey not only maintains voluntary participation but also encourages individuals to engage with the survey on their own terms, creating a more inclusive and respectful environment. This can lead to more accurate and honest responses, as participants do not feel forced to disclose information they may find troubling.

In contrast, including mandatory questions can coerce participants into answering questions they may not feel comfortable addressing, potentially leading to reluctance in participating at all. Providing incentives can sometimes compromise the perceived voluntariness of participation; participants might feel pressured to complete the survey just for the reward. Setting a time limit for responses could add stress to the participants, making them less likely to engage fully in the survey process, particularly concerning sensitive issues.