Demonstrating the Importance of Question Wording on Surveys

Abstract

This classroom activity demonstrates the importance of question wording on surveys. In the activity, students compared data from 2 versions of a short questionnaire that differed only in the wording of the questions and the response scales. Class discussion focused on how wording affected the data and, consequently, how difficult it would be to draw valid conclusions from the data. After participating in the activity, students were better able to identify and correct poorly worded items and response scales on a subsequent survey.