the influence of the characteristics of an interviewer upon the responses provided by an interviewee. The interviewer’s age, gender, and level of experience may affect the manner in which the interviewee responds, as may his or her general demeanor and nonverbal cues. For example, a person might discuss sensitive topics, such as sexual or drinking behavior, more openly and truthfully with an interviewer who is of the same gender. The term interviewer bias refers more specifically to an interviewer’s expectations, beliefs, and prejudices as they influence the interview process and the interpretation of the data it provides.