Keep Your Questions Simple, Sweetie
Computers & Technology → Internet
- Author David Meagor
- Published July 7, 2011
- Word count 393
When conducting standardized questionnaires, it is important that all respondents have the same understanding of the questions. Achieving this goal depends on how clearly the questions are worded, which in turn depends on the target respondents.
Here’s an example: "How do you think the business cycle in Germany will develop between now and the end of the year? Very positively, positively, will stay the same, negatively, or very negatively?"
This question may be easily understood by an economics professor but not necessarily by everyone else. But what if it were stated this way: "What do you think the economic situation in Germany will be like at the end of the year? Much better, slightly better, the same, slightly worse, or much worse?"
Simple terms can be complicated
Keep in mind that even "simple" terms can be complicated. For example, "Do you think having a family is essential to happiness or do you think you can be just as happy living by yourself?"
This question can be interpreted in twenty different ways by twenty different people, as every person has their own understanding of "family" and "happy".
On the other hand, you shouldn’t be too strict about this as it would be very difficult. What you can do though, is to formulate questions that are reasonably unambiguous and simple.
For instance, "Do you regard the New Year with hope or worry?" is simpler than, "People have different expectations of the New Year. Some view it with hope, while others with worry. Do you regard the New Year with hope or worry?"
The question, "How many children do you have, including those who no longer live in your home?" may not be as simple as, but is definitely clearer than, "How many children do you have?"
Likewise, "What is your net monthly income, i.e. the amount that remains after tax and national insurance contributions have been deducted?" is not as simple as but is clearer than the questions, "What is your net monthly income?" or "How much do you earn each month?"
As you can see, there is often a conflict between the need to word questions simply and the need to phrase them unambiguously. When in doubt, choose the clearer question. But always see first if you can formulate the question in such a way that is both simple and unambiguous.
"BooRoo - Create free online surveys, quizzes, and web polls with BOOROO, [http://booroo.com](http://booroo.com)"
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- What is CCTLD?
- Gulf Website Hub Reveals Fresh Digital Solutions to Enhance Dubai's Expanding Market.
- Embrace Multi Graphics Inc. Expands Services to Meet Growing Demand in Digital Marketing, Design, and Printing
- Website Development Trends in 2025
- Viewing Instagram Stories Without an Account: Imginn Viewer Insights
- How to Find, Use, and Manage BitLocker Recovery Keys on Windows 10/11
- Building a Professional Website on a Budget: Using Free Tools like WordPress and AI
- Ava Labs CEO On Why You Shouldn't Ignore Red Flags In The Industry
- Cyberbullying: Empowering Families to Safeguard Their Kids
- 10 Common Online Scams to Avoid: Protecting Your Identity and Finances
- Spring Break and Staying Secure Online: An Internet Safety Guide for College Students
- Unveiling the Future: The 10 Revolutionary Trends Shaping Small E-Commerce Businesses in 2024
- Unlocking Online Content with YouTube Video Downloaders
- Unleashing the Potential of Online Earning: A Comprehensive Guide
- Navigating Success in the Digital Realm: Unveiling the Power of Digital Marketing
- How AI Will Affect the Future of Search
- Maximizing Business Efficiency: The Strategic Role of Business Intelligence with DataInseyets
- Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI
- Harnessing the Power of AI & Blockchain for Data Security and Transparency
- AI Ignites 6G Advancements in Wireless Technology
- How AI is Revolutionizing Content Writing
- What You Need to Know About Writing Prompts
- The Remarkable Ways to Use the AI-Powered Chatbot
- Where Will AI Take Us in 2024?
- AI Written Content Creation Trends for 2024
- Will AI-Linked Cryptocurrency Sector Thrive in 2024?
- Is AI Regulation vs AI Deregulation a Real Concern?
- Prompt Engineering: A Beginner's Guide to Prompt Engineering
- Balancing Innovation and Regulation of AI in the Future
- Crafting AI Short-Form Content: The Future of Digital Marketing