Asking Questions - The Definitive Guide To Questionnaire Design ...

ASKING THREATENING QUESTIONS ABOUT BEHAVIOR 95
Figure 3.8. Questions on Alcoholic Beverage Use.
1. Do you ever have occasion to use any alcoholic beverages such as liquor,
wine, or beer, or are you a total abstainer?
2. Now we have some questions about drinking for relaxation. The most
popular alcoholic beverage in the country is beer or ale. People drink beer
in taverns, with meals, in pizza parlors, at sporting events, at home while
watching television, and many other places. Did you ever drink, even once,
beer or ale? (If no, go to Q. 3) (If yes) We are especially interested in recent
times. Have you drunk any beer or ale in the past year?
Yes (Ask a, b, and c.)
No (Ask a and b.)
a. When you drank beer or ale, on the average how often did you drink it?
Include every time you drank it, no matter how little you had.
b. Most of the times you drank beer, on the average how many bottles,
cans, or glasses did you drink at one time?
c. Thinking about more recent times, have you drunk any beer or ale in
the past month?
3. Wines have become increasingly popular in this country over the last few
years; by wines, we mean liqueurs, cordials, sherries, and similar drinks,
as well as table wines, sparkling wines, and champagne. Did you ever
drink, even once, wine or champagne? (If no, go to Q. 4.) (If yes) You
might have drunk wine to build your appetite before dinner, to accompany
dinner, to celebrate some occasion, to enjoy a party, or for some other
reason. Have you drunk any wine or champagne in the past year?
Yes (Ask a, b, and c.)
No (Ask a and b.)
a. When you drank wine or champagne, on the average how often did you
drink it? Include every time you drank it, no matter how little you had.
b. Most of the times you drank wine or champagne, on the average about
how many glasses did you drink at one time?
c. Thinking about more recent times than the past year, have you drunk
any wine or champagne in the past month?
4. Part of our research is to try to find out the best way to ask questions.
Sometimes, as we go through the questionnaire, I’ll ask you to suggest
terms that we might use, so that you will feel comfortable and understand
what we mean. For instance, my next few questions are about all the drinks
like whiskey, vodka, and gin. What do you think would be the best things
to call all the beverages of that kind when we ask questions about them?
(If no response, or awkward phrase, use “liquor” in following questions.
Otherwise, use respondent’s word(s).)