How do you handle situations where public opinion data is impacted by response bias due to question order or wording?

Sample interview questions: How do you handle situations where public opinion data is impacted by response bias due to question order or wording?

Sample answer:

1. Evaluate the survey instrument for potential biases:

  • Check if the question order or wording is likely to influence responses in a particular direction. Look for leading questions, double-barreled questions, and other potential sources of bias.
  • Consider the context in which the survey was conducted. Was it conducted during a time of heightened emotions or political polarization? Were respondents aware of recent events that could have influenced their answers?
  • Consider the characteristics of the sample. Are the respondents representative of the population of interest? Are there any groups that are underrepresented or overrepresented in the sample?

2. Adjust the survey instrument to reduce bias:

  • Revise the question order or wording to eliminate potential sources of bias.
  • Add additional questions to the survey that can help you to assess the impact of response bias. For example, you could ask respondents about their level of trust in the survey organization or their perception of the survey’s purpose.
  • Consider using a different survey mode. For example, if you are concerned about response bias due to question order, you could switch to a self-administered survey, where respondents can answer the questions in any order they choose.

3. Weight the data to adjust for response bias:

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