What Respondents Learn from Questionnaires: The Survey Interview and the Logic of Conversation
International Statistical ReviewPublished 1 August 1995
Norbert Schwarz
Citations109
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score0.92
SNIP1.84
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Abstract
Summary Drawing on psychological theories of language comprehension and conversational conduct, I review what respondents learn from various features of questionnaires, including the response alternatives and the context in which a question is asked. This review indicates that many apparent artifacts in survey measurement reflect a systematic and thoughtful use of contextual information that is licensed by the tacit rules that govern the conduct of conversation in daily life. Implications for questionnaire construction are discussed.
Keywords
Social SciencesArts and HumanitiesHealth Professions
Relevance: Communication and Cognition
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