CHP. 6 - Surveys & Observations Flashcards
Types of Questions
- Open Ended
- Forced Choice
- Likert Scale
- Semantic Differential Scale
Open-Ended Questions
Questions must be coded & categorized
- difficult & time-consuming
Forced-Choice Questions
Opinions given by picking the best of 2 possible options
Likert Scale Questions
Rating scales with degrees of agreement
Semantic Differential Scale Questions
Numeric scale anchored by adjective
- ex. easy vs. hard
Factors of Question Format
- How the question is worded
- The order that questions appear
Leading Questions
Contain words that have certain connotations & may prime respondents to be more positive/negative
- word questions are neutrally as possible
Test Multiple Wordings
If the results are the same regardless of wording, then we can be more confident of the reliability of the question
- look at C-alpha, consistency
Double-Barreled Questions
Multiple questions in a single question
- could agree with 1 question, disagree with the other
Negatively Worded Questions
Use of absolutes
- can cause confusion
Response Sets
Shortcut respondents take when answering survey questions
Acquiescence
Response set in which the participant always responds in the affirmative, “yes” or “strongly agree”
- Solution: include reverse-worded questions
Fence Sitting
Response set in which the participant is always “neutral” or “IDK”
- Solution: remove neutral options, forced choice
Socially Desirable Responding
Faking good (or bad)
- Respondents shift their responses to better fit expectations of society
- Anonymous responding is NOT a solution
Observer Bias
Observer expectations influence INTERPRETATION of participant behavior
