What Response Scales may Tell your Respondents: Informative Functions of Response Alternatives

One of the most extensively discussed (though not most extensively researched, see Converse, 1984) issues in the literature on survey methodology is the choice between an open - or a closed - response format.

Abstract

One of the most extensively discussed (though not most extensively researched, see Converse, 1984) issues in the literature on survey methodology is the choice between an open - or a closed - response format. Researchers are usually advised to use open-ended questions sparingly because they are time consuming, expensive, and difficult to analyze (e.g., Sheatsley, 1985; Sudman & Bradburn, 1983). In fact, "despite a few exceptions, the results of social surveys today are based mainly on what are varyingly called closed, fixed-choice, or precoded questions" (Schuman & Presser, 1981, p. 79). According to textbook: recommendations, the construction of precoded questions should be based on the responses to open-ended questions obtained during pilot studies.