5 types of incorrect questions to avoid in your surveys
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2024 4:29 am
The first step to collecting meaningful feedback is to identify which types of questions are incorrect. Each type can introduce specific biases or confounds, compromising the reliability of the data. Let’s look at each one.
1. Trick questions
Leading questions are those that introduce, imply or suggest a particular kazakhstan whatsapp number data 5 million , directing the respondent towards a specific answer rather than allowing for an honest response. Companies often include questions based on their own assumptions or beliefs, treating them as facts. This can put pressure on customers to give answers aligned with these expectations, rather than freely expressing their true opinion.
Leading questions, while unintentional, can result in:
Highest survey dropout rate
Negative perception of the company
Biased response set
Any of these outcomes can significantly harm the effectiveness of your customer experience program.
Examples of trick questions and their solutions:
The wrong question assumes that product XYZ is superior, creating bias in the respondent and limiting their ability to provide neutral feedback.
How to avoid trick questions? When designing a survey, ask questions objectively and offer a balanced response scale, including both positive and negative options. This will make it easier to obtain honest feedback, which is crucial for unbiased learning.
2. Vague or ambiguous questions
Vague questions are those that lack clarity or specificity, leaving the respondent without a clear understanding of what is being asked. The use of jargon or complex grammar can contribute to this ambiguity, resulting in questions that can be interpreted in multiple ways.
How to avoid vague or ambiguous questions?
Make sure your questions clearly define the context
Provide specific frames of reference when necessary
Avoid jargon and complex expressions
Include examples or ranges when asking about frequency or quantity.
Use simple and direct language
3. Double-edged questions
What are they? A double-edged question combines two or more different questions into one, requiring the respondent to answer multiple questions simultaneously. These types of questions often use conjunctions such as “and” or “or.” While it may seem like a way to optimize time, it actually compromises the quality of the survey results.
Double-edged questions lead to confusion and unreliable answers when trying to assess different aspects in a single answer.
incorrect vs correct questions 4
How to avoid double-edged questions?
Check your questions for conjunctions “and” or “or”
Make sure each question has a single purpose
Identify the different aspects you want to evaluate
Create separate questions for each topic
Design focused questions that generate specific and actionable information
4. Questions with double negative
A double negative occurs when two negative words are used in the same sentence, creating confusion and making understanding difficult. Combining negative adverbs with words like 'no', 'none' or prefixes like 'in-' unnecessarily complicates communication and can lead to wrong responses.
incorrect vs correct questions 3
How to avoid questions with double negatives?
Rephrase the question in a positive or neutral tone
Identify and eliminate negative adverbs (“never”, “ever”)
Avoid negative prefixes (“in-“, “des-“)
Simplify the structure of the question
Use direct and clear language
5. Poor response scales
A response scale is deficient when the options offered to respondents do not adequately reflect the full spectrum of possible responses. When the scale is unbalanced, poorly worded, or improperly formatted, it can produce biased or unclear results, forcing respondents to choose options that do not accurately represent their opinion.
1. Trick questions
Leading questions are those that introduce, imply or suggest a particular kazakhstan whatsapp number data 5 million , directing the respondent towards a specific answer rather than allowing for an honest response. Companies often include questions based on their own assumptions or beliefs, treating them as facts. This can put pressure on customers to give answers aligned with these expectations, rather than freely expressing their true opinion.
Leading questions, while unintentional, can result in:
Highest survey dropout rate
Negative perception of the company
Biased response set
Any of these outcomes can significantly harm the effectiveness of your customer experience program.
Examples of trick questions and their solutions:
The wrong question assumes that product XYZ is superior, creating bias in the respondent and limiting their ability to provide neutral feedback.
How to avoid trick questions? When designing a survey, ask questions objectively and offer a balanced response scale, including both positive and negative options. This will make it easier to obtain honest feedback, which is crucial for unbiased learning.
2. Vague or ambiguous questions
Vague questions are those that lack clarity or specificity, leaving the respondent without a clear understanding of what is being asked. The use of jargon or complex grammar can contribute to this ambiguity, resulting in questions that can be interpreted in multiple ways.
How to avoid vague or ambiguous questions?
Make sure your questions clearly define the context
Provide specific frames of reference when necessary
Avoid jargon and complex expressions
Include examples or ranges when asking about frequency or quantity.
Use simple and direct language
3. Double-edged questions
What are they? A double-edged question combines two or more different questions into one, requiring the respondent to answer multiple questions simultaneously. These types of questions often use conjunctions such as “and” or “or.” While it may seem like a way to optimize time, it actually compromises the quality of the survey results.
Double-edged questions lead to confusion and unreliable answers when trying to assess different aspects in a single answer.
incorrect vs correct questions 4
How to avoid double-edged questions?
Check your questions for conjunctions “and” or “or”
Make sure each question has a single purpose
Identify the different aspects you want to evaluate
Create separate questions for each topic
Design focused questions that generate specific and actionable information
4. Questions with double negative
A double negative occurs when two negative words are used in the same sentence, creating confusion and making understanding difficult. Combining negative adverbs with words like 'no', 'none' or prefixes like 'in-' unnecessarily complicates communication and can lead to wrong responses.
incorrect vs correct questions 3
How to avoid questions with double negatives?
Rephrase the question in a positive or neutral tone
Identify and eliminate negative adverbs (“never”, “ever”)
Avoid negative prefixes (“in-“, “des-“)
Simplify the structure of the question
Use direct and clear language
5. Poor response scales
A response scale is deficient when the options offered to respondents do not adequately reflect the full spectrum of possible responses. When the scale is unbalanced, poorly worded, or improperly formatted, it can produce biased or unclear results, forcing respondents to choose options that do not accurately represent their opinion.