Page 125 - DMGT404 RESEARCH_METHODOLOGY

Unit 6: Primary Data and Questionnaire

2. Loaded Questions: A leading question is also known as a loaded question. In a loaded Notes
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'.
(a) Are the Questions Confusing? If there is a question unclear or is confusing, then the
respondent becomes more biased rather that getting enlightened. Example: "Do you think
that the government publications are distributed effectively"? This is not the correct way,
since respondent does not know what is the meaning of the word effective distribution.
This is confusing. The correct way of asking questions is "Do you think that the government
publications are readily available when you want to buy?" Example: "Do you think whether
value price equation is attractive"? Here, respondents may not know the meaning of value
price equation.
(b) Applicability: "Is the question applicable to all respondents?" Respondents may try to answer
a question even though they don't qualify to do so or may lack from any meaningful
opinion.

Example:
1. "What is your present education level"
2. "Where are you working" (assuming he is employed)?
3. "From which bank have you taken a housing loan" (assuming he has taken a loan).

Avoid Implicit Assumptions

An implicit alternative is one that is not expressed in the options. Consider following two
questions:
1. Would you like to have a job, if available?
2. Would you prefer to have a job, or do you prefer to do just domestic work?

Even though, we may say that these two questions look similar, they vary widely. The difference
is that Q-2 makes explicit the alternative implied in Q-1.

Split Ballot Technique

This is a procedure used wherein (1) The question is split into two halves and (2) Different
sequencing of questions is administered to each half. There are occasions when a single
version of questions may not derive the correct answer and the choice is not obvious to the
respondent.

Example: "Why do you use Ayurvedic soap"? One respondent might say "Ayurvedic soap is
better for skin care". Another may say "Because the dermatologist has recommended". A third
might say "It is a soap used by my entire family for several years". The first respondent answers
the reason for using it at present. The second respondent answers how he started using. The third
respondent "the family tradition for using". As can be seen, different reference frames are used.
The question may be balanced and rephrased.

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