Level 1, Activity 1-3

Question Writing –

 

The Gallop Poll organization has designed opinion polls for more than 70 years. A survey is usually completed by a person independently and often without being able to ask questions for clarification.

It's very important that survey questions be clearly written. Look at the following question:

How many meals do you eat each day?

(Check one of the following)

___ 1 ___ 2 ___ 3 ___ 4 ___ 5 ___ 6

What if the person responding does not eat the same number of meals each day? Perhaps one person defines a meal as sitting at a properly set table with food from each food group. Another person considers anytime that food is eaten a meal, even when the food is from a vending machine. Each question should express the idea you intend and be short. People are more likely to respond to a shorter survey, so don't write too many questions.

>> Sampling

>> Survey Tips

>> Opinion & Open-ended Questions