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Wording survey questions. Comment on each of the following as a potential sample survey question. Is the question sufficiently clear? Is it slanted toward a desired response? (a) "In light of skyrocketing gasoline prices, we should consider opening up a very small amount of Alaskan wilderness for oil exploration as a way of reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Do you agree or disagree?" (b) "Do you agree that a national system of health insurance should be favored because it would provide health insurance for everyone and would reduce administrative costs?" (c) "In view of the negative externalities in parent labor force participation and pediatric evidence associating increased group size with morbidity of children in day care, do you support government subsidies for day care programs?"

Step by step solution

01

Analyze Question (a)

The question is not sufficiently clear as it contains biased language. Phrases like "skyrocketing gasoline prices" and "very small amount of Alaskan wilderness" suggest urgency and minimize the perceived environmental impact. This wording could lead to a slant towards agreement, as it presents the situation as a favorable and necessary action.

02

Evaluate Bias in Question (b)

This question includes biased language by using reasons like "it would provide health insurance for everyone and reduce administrative costs," which suggest benefits without considering potential drawbacks. This may lead respondents to agree even if they have reservations about a national health insurance system.

03

Assess Complexity in Question (c)

The question is overly complex and uses technical terms such as "negative externalities" and "morbidity of children" that may not be clear to all respondents. Additionally, it may be biased, as it suggests negative effects of parental labor force participation without presenting any positive aspects.

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Key Concepts

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

Question Clarity

When crafting survey questions, clarity is of utmost importance. Clear questions ensure that respondents understand exactly what is being asked, minimizing confusion and promoting honest and accurate responses. For example, in a survey question, if complex terms or emotionally charged words, like "skyrocketing" or "negative externalities," are used, it might confuse or influence the respondent. To achieve clarity, it's best to use simple and precise language that everyone can easily comprehend.

• Eliminate jargon or technical terms that may not be understood.
• Avoid double negatives or complicated sentence structures.
• Use words and expressions that are familiar to your audience.

A clear question leads to clear answers, providing more reliable data from the survey.

Response Bias

Response bias occurs when survey questions are worded in a way that influences the respondent to answer in a certain way. This can result in skewed data, which doesn't accurately reflect the true opinions of the participants. Consider question (b), which states benefits without addressing potential downsides, possibly leading respondents to a "yes" answer because the question seems to suggest what the "right" answer is. To reduce response bias, ensure questions are neutral in tone and balance any pros and cons presented.

• Avoid emotionally charged language that could sway opinions.
• Present questions without implying a 'correct' answer.
• Remain neutral, even when discussing potentially controversial topics.

Reducing response bias helps in collecting data that truly represents your audience's views.

Question Complexity

Survey questions should be simple and easy to understand, avoiding unnecessary complexity. When questions are complex, they may confuse respondents or lead them to misinterpret the intent. In question (c), the use of technical terms can impede understanding, potentially leading to mistaken responses. A question should aim to simplify concepts without losing meaning.
An effective strategy is to:

• Break down complex ideas into simpler components.
• Use straightforward language and avoid multi-part questions.
• Ask direct questions that require straightforward answers.

Making questions less complex ensures that respondents can easily grasp what is being asked and respond accurately with their genuine opinions.

Survey Design

Good survey design is essential for collecting reliable and valid data. It encompasses analyzing each aspect of question creation, including clarity, bias, and complexity. A well-designed survey ensures that questions gather necessary information without leading or confusing the respondent, like the scenarios noted in the original exercise. For an effective survey:

• Conduct pre-tests to identify any potential issues with the questions.
• Design with the respondent's perspective in mind to increase engagement.
• Use a mix of question types to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.

Careful survey design sets the foundation for gathering valuable responses that truly reflect the participants' views.