According to the lecture for chapter 5, there are certain or specific questions that should NOT be asked at the beginning of a survey.

List all of those questions and then, in your own words, explain why these specific questions should be left off the beginning of a survey.

1 answer

While I am unable to access the specific content of a lecture, I can provide you with general guidelines on questions that are typically advised against at the beginning of a survey and the reasons behind it.

1. Sensitive or personal questions: Questions that delve into personal aspects like income, health, or family situations should generally be avoided at the beginning. These intrusive questions can make respondents uncomfortable and may lead to a dropout or biased responses. It is advisable to gradually introduce sensitive questions later in the survey after establishing rapport.

2. Demographic questions: Inquiries about personal characteristics such as age, gender, or ethnicity should be avoided initially. When respondents encounter these questions too early, they might feel stereotyped or typecast, potentially affecting their participation or skewing their responses. Collecting demographic information is important but is better placed towards the middle or end of the survey.

3. Complex or difficult questions: Beginning the survey with complicated or challenging questions can intimidate respondents and discourage their participation. It is optimal to start the survey with straightforward and easy-to-answer questions to make respondents comfortable and build their confidence before gradually moving towards more complex inquiries.

4. Loaded or leading questions: Questions that subtly steer respondents towards a particular response or contain biased language should not be included at the beginning. Such questions can influence respondents and taint the accuracy of their answers. The beginning of the survey should focus on neutral and evenly worded questions to obtain unbiased responses.

5. Lengthy or time-consuming questions: Starting the survey with lengthy or time-consuming questions can lead to respondent fatigue or frustration. It is important to establish a smooth flow at the beginning, ensuring short, concise, and easy-to-answer questions that encourage participation and set a positive tone for the survey.

By avoiding these specific types of questions at the beginning of a survey, researchers can enhance response rates, promote participant engagement, and gather more accurate and unbiased data.