BIAS IN SURVEY QUESTIONS

With the loaded question, you basically force people into answering the question in a particular way. You keep them from explaining their own opinions. The loaded question has the potential to lead to survey drop-out and unclear results.

Here is an example :

Loaded question : Where do you like to party? Well, what if the respondents don’t like to party? What if they are homebodies? Instead, you could ask it like this: What do you like to do on weekend evenings ?

Once you have selected a representative sample of the population, be sure that the data is gathered without bias. Make sure that the survey questions themselves do not sway people to respond a certain way.

Example : 

In Madison County, residents were surveyed about a new skateboard park.

Determine whether each survey question may be biased. Explain.

A. Would you like to waste the taxpayers’ money to build a frivolous skateboard park ?

This question is biased. It discourages residents from saying yes to a new skateboard park by implying it is a waste of money.

B.  Do you favor a new skateboard park ?

This question is not biased. It does not include an opinion on the skateboard park.

C. Studies have shown that having a safe place to go keeps kids out of trouble. Would you like to invest taxpayers’ money to build a skateboard park ?

This question is biased. It leads people to say yes because it mentions having a safe place for kids to go and to stay out of trouble.

Determine whether each question may be biased. Explain.

D. When it comes to pets, do you prefer cats ?

The question is biased since cats are suggested.

E.  What is your favorite season?

The question is not biased. It does not lead people to pick a particular season.

F.  What is your favorite color ?

The question is not biased. It does not lead people to pick a particular color.

G.  When it comes to birds, do you prefer white color ?

The question is biased, since white color birds are suggested.

Apart from the stuff given above, if you need any other stuff in math, please use our google custom search here.

Kindly mail your feedback to v4formath@gmail.com

We always appreciate your feedback.