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The SurveyMonkey Blog (February } 11,2015, retrieved September 25,2016\()\) includes an article titled "5 Common Survey Question Mistakes That'll Ruin Your Data." Read this short article, which can be found at the following website, and then answer the following questions. Www.surveymonkey.com/blog/2015/02/11/5 -common-survey-mistakes-ruin-your-data/ a. One of the recommendations in the article is "Don't write leading questions." Give an example of a leading question that is different from the two examples given in the article. Explain why you think the question is a leading question and then suggest a better way to word the question. b. Select one of the other four recommendations and give an example of a bad question related to that recommendation. Then suggest a better way to word the question.

Step by step solution

01

Read the article

Read the SurveyMonkey Blog article titled "5 Common Survey Question Mistakes That'll Ruin Your Data."

02

Draft a leading question example

Think of a leading question that is not mentioned in the article, and write it down. A leading question is a question that subtly directs the respondent towards a particular response, often due to the phrasing or tone of the question. Example: "Don't you think our latest feature is useful?"

03

Explain why the example is leading

Analyze the example and explain why it is a leading question. In this case, the question is leading because it assumes the respondent agrees that the feature is useful, and it prompts them to confirm this belief.

04

Suggest a better wording

Given the leading question example, propose a better way to phrase the question in a more neutral manner that doesn't lead the respondent towards a specific answer. Improved question: "How would you rate the usefulness of our latest feature?"

05

Choose another recommendation

From the remaining four recommendations mentioned in the article, select one to work with. Example: "Avoid asking double-barreled questions."

06

Draft a bad question related to the chosen recommendation

Create an example of a poorly written question that violates the selected recommendation. Example: "How satisfied are you with our customer service and product quality?"

07

Suggest a better wording

Suggest a better way to word the question, keeping in line with the selected recommendation. Improved question: "How satisfied are you with our customer service?" and "How satisfied are you with the quality of our products?"

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Leading Questions

Leading questions are a common pitfall in survey design. These types of questions subtly lead respondents toward a particular answer, often through suggestive phrasing. It's like nudging someone toward saying "yes" or "agree," without explicitly stating it. For instance, a question that says, "Don't you think our excellent service is impressive?" implies that the service is indeed impressive, and merely seeks confirmation of that assumption. This biases the results, as respondents may feel coerced to agree rather than express their true opinion.

To avoid this, strive for neutrality in your questions:

• Instead of asking leading questions, offer options that encourage honest feedback.
• Rephrase questions to detach any assumptions. For example, ask, "How would you describe our service?" This opens the floor for varied responses without hinting at a desired answer.
• Check for language that can sway opinions or suggest that one response is more acceptable than another.

Question Wording

The wording of a question is crucial in getting accurate responses in a survey. Poorly worded questions can confuse respondents, leading to inaccurate data. Survey questions should be clear, concise, and free of jargon. Ambiguity is a major issue here, as it can lead to different interpretations by respondents.

For clarity:

• Ensure that each question is read independently and understood by respondents, regardless of their backgrounds.
• Use simple language to avoid confusion. Avoid specialized terms unless it is certain that all respondents are familiar with them.
• When in doubt, pre-test your survey on a small group to identify unclear wording.

In practice, aim for straightforwardness as shown in a good question: "On a scale of 1 to 5, how satisfied are you with your experience?" This question is clear, contextually relevant, and allows for a range of responses based on personal experiences.

Double-Barreled Questions

Double-barreled questions are another typical mistake in survey design. These questions ask about two issues within the same question, but only allow for one answer. This makes it hard for respondents to provide accurate feedback, as they might have different opinions on each part.

Consider this flawed example: "How satisfied are you with our customer service and product quality?" The problem is that satisfaction with customer service might differ significantly from satisfaction with product quality, yet the question lumps them together.

To improve, break it down:

• Ask separate questions to ensure clarity. For example, "How satisfied are you with our customer service?" and "How satisfied are you with the quality of our products?"
• This approach allows respondents to give precise feedback on each area, enhancing the reliability of the data collected.
• Review your survey to spot any double-barreled questions and rephrase them accordingly.

Avoiding double-barreled questions will lead to more actionable insights, helping you understand specific areas of improvement.