Leading Questions

Definition

Leading questions are inquiries that suggest a particular answer or contain information that biases the respondent toward a specific response. They can significantly influence the outcome of surveys and questionnaires by steering participants toward an expected answer, which can compromise the objectivity of the data collected.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Leading questions can skew the data collected by eliciting responses that reflect the question's wording rather than the respondent's true feelings or opinions.
2. Examples of leading questions include phrases like 'Don't you agree that...' or 'Wouldn't you say that...', which prompt agreement rather than allowing for an unbiased response.
3. In survey design, avoiding leading questions is essential for maintaining the integrity and reliability of the research findings.
4. When researchers include leading questions, it can lead to invalid conclusions and reduce the overall credibility of the study.
5. The presence of leading questions can make it challenging to compare results across different studies, as responses may be influenced by how questions are phrased.

Review Questions

• How do leading questions impact the reliability of survey results?
  • Leading questions can seriously undermine the reliability of survey results by guiding respondents toward a particular answer. When questions are phrased in a way that suggests a preferred response, it skews the data because participants may answer based on the question's implication instead of their own opinions. This bias affects how accurately the survey captures genuine attitudes and perceptions.
• Discuss the strategies that can be employed to minimize leading questions in survey design.
  • To minimize leading questions in survey design, researchers should focus on crafting neutral and clear wording that does not imply a preferred answer. This can involve pre-testing questions with diverse groups to identify any biases or suggestions within the phrasing. Additionally, using open-ended questions allows respondents to express their views without restriction, further reducing potential bias in their responses.
• Evaluate the consequences of using leading questions in applied impact evaluation research, particularly regarding decision-making based on collected data.
  • Using leading questions in applied impact evaluation research can have significant consequences, including misguided policy decisions and ineffective interventions. If data is influenced by biased questions, stakeholders may rely on inaccurate findings to shape their strategies. This misrepresentation not only undermines trust in research but may also lead to misallocation of resources and efforts, ultimately affecting outcomes for populations served by these evaluations.

Related terms

Bias:

A systematic deviation from the truth in data collection or interpretation, which can distort research findings.

Questionnaire Design: The process of creating a structured set of questions aimed at gathering information from respondents, where clarity and neutrality are crucial for effective data collection.

Survey Validity: The degree to which a survey accurately measures what it is intended to measure, which can be undermined by leading questions.