Pew Research Center

FOR RELEASE MARCH 21, 2018

Methods 101: Survey Question Wording

The second video in Pew Research Center's Methods 101 series helps explain question wording – a concept at the center of sound public opinion survey research – and why it’s important.

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RECOMMENDED CITATION

Pew Research Center, March 2018, "Methods 101: Survey Question Wording"

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Table of contents

  • About Pew Research Center

Methods 101: Survey Question Wording

The second video in Pew Research Center's Methods 101 series helps explain question wording – a concept at the center of sound public opinion survey research – and why it’s important.

The second video in Pew Research Center’s Methods 101 series helps explain question wording – a concept at the center of sound public opinion survey research – and why it’s important. Writing clear and neutral survey questions is much more difficult than it might seem. We spend a lot of time thinking about the phrasing and ordering of our survey questions. Paying close attention to these seemingly minor factors makes a huge difference. It helps us avoid the trap of poorly worded or leading questions, which can skew survey results.

  • Random Sampling
  • Survey Question Wording
  • Mode effects
  • What are nonprobability surveys?
  • How is polling done around the world?
  • What is machine learning, and how does it work?
  • Why have polls underestimated Donald Trump?
  • How do polls work when no one answers the phone anymore?