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Survey Design: How to Avoid "Questionnaire Bias"
The quality of your Chapter Four depends entirely on the quality of your questionnaire. If your questions are "leading" or "ambiguous," your results will be skewed, and your supervisor will likely demand a total redo.
### Avoiding Leading Questions
A leading question nudges the respondent toward a specific answer (e.g., "Don't you agree that the government is doing a great job?"). Instead, use neutral language: "How would you rate the performance of the government?" This ensures your data represents the respondent's true feelings, not your own.
### The Likert Scale Balance
When using a 5-point Likert scale (Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree), always include a "Neutral" option. Forcing a respondent to take a side when they don't have one is a form of bias. At uniSupport, we offer professional "Instrument Validation." We review your survey before you go to the field to ensure it is reliable, valid, and ready for statistical testing.
### Avoiding Leading Questions
A leading question nudges the respondent toward a specific answer (e.g., "Don't you agree that the government is doing a great job?"). Instead, use neutral language: "How would you rate the performance of the government?" This ensures your data represents the respondent's true feelings, not your own.
### The Likert Scale Balance
When using a 5-point Likert scale (Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree), always include a "Neutral" option. Forcing a respondent to take a side when they don't have one is a form of bias. At uniSupport, we offer professional "Instrument Validation." We review your survey before you go to the field to ensure it is reliable, valid, and ready for statistical testing.