Page 133 - DMGT209_QUANTITATIVE_TECHNIQUES_II

Quantitative Techniques-II

Notes Avoid Double-barreled Questions

These are questions, in which the respondent can agree with one part of the question, but not
agree with the other or cannot answer without making a particular assumption.

Example:
 “Do you feel that firms today are employee-oriented and customer-oriented?” There are
two separate issues here – [yes] [no]
 “Are you happy with the price and quality of branded shampoo?” [yes] [no]

Avoid Leading and Loading Questions

Leading Questions

A leading question is one that suggests the answer to the respondent. The question itself will
influence the answer, when respondents get an idea that the data is being collected by a company.
The respondents have a tendency to respond positively.

Example:
 “How do you like the programme on ‘Radio Mirchy’? The answer is likely to be ‘yes’. The
unbiased way of asking is “which is your favorite F.M. Radio station? The answer could be
any one of the four stations namely 1. Radio City 2. Mirchy 3. Rainbow 4. Radio-One.
 Do you think that offshore drilling for oil is environmentally unsound? The most probable
response is ‘yes’. The same question can be modified to eliminate the leading factor.

What is your feeling about the environmental impact of offshore drilling for oil? Give choices
as follows:
1. Offshore drilling is environmentally sound.

2. Offshore drilling is environmentally unsound.
3. No opinion.

Loaded Questions

A leading question is also known as a loaded question. In a loaded question, special emphasis is
given to a word or a phrase, which acts as a lead to respondent.

Example:

 “Do you own a Kelvinator refrigerator.”
 A better question would be “what brand of refrigerator do you own?”
 “Don’t you think the civic body is ‘incompetent’?”
 Here the word incompetent is ‘loaded’.

Are the Questions Confusing?
If there is a question unclear or is confusing, then the respondent becomes more biased rather
that getting enlightened.

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