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

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210 ASKING QUESTIONS<br />

on the Web since the respondent will have the chance to look up<br />

the correct answer or to consult with others. Knowledge questions<br />

can be asked on the phone as well as face-to-face since the phone<br />

conversation prevents the respondent from seeking outside help.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are a few exceptions to this rule. <strong>The</strong> easiest knowledge<br />

question (“Have you heard or read about . . . ?”) can be asked on a<br />

self-administered survey, although questions used to screen out respondents<br />

who do not know enough to have an informed opinion<br />

cannot be used on a self-administered survey.<br />

Some questions that appear to be asking for attitudes but really<br />

are trying to tap into knowledge (such as the Wechsler items in the<br />

section on “Measuring Ability”) can also be successful in selfadministered<br />

versions. Finally, for purposes of obtaining information<br />

by using key informants in companies or communities,<br />

self-administered forms can be superior to personal interviews. In<br />

this situation, it may be desirable for the respondent to consult<br />

records and to discuss the questions with others. <strong>The</strong> resulting<br />

answers are likely to be more complete than immediate answers<br />

given in a personal interview.<br />

Summary<br />

Knowledge questions are used to evaluate educational achievement,<br />

to design and implement information programs or advertising<br />

campaigns, to determine public awareness of current issues and<br />

people, to measure ability, and to obtain community information.<br />

Knowledge questions vary in difficulty. <strong>The</strong> easiest questions ask<br />

whether a respondent has heard or read about a topic; the most difficult<br />

require detailed numerical information. <strong>Questions</strong> that are<br />

too easy or too difficult do not differentiate between respondents.<br />

<strong>Questions</strong> may also vary from the standard format of verbal questions<br />

by using pictures, maps, music and other sounds, or other<br />

physical objects. Most knowledge questions are asked in face-toface<br />

or telephone interviews, but in selected cases they may be<br />

asked in self-administered interviews.

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