Well-written survey question:
How often do you use English when communicating about money-related issues (e.g., borrowing, lending, or refusing requests)?
- Never
- Rarely ...
Well-written survey question:
How often do you use English when communicating about money-related issues (e.g., borrowing, lending, or refusing requests)?
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
Poorly constructed survey question:
Do you think refusing to lend money in English is difficult and uncomfortable for you?
Explanation:
The first question is well-written because it is clear, specific, and focuses on a single idea. It also provides a balanced set of response options, making it easy for respondents to answer accurately. In addition, the context (“money-related issues”) is clearly defined with examples, which reduces ambiguity.
In contrast, the second question is poorly constructed because it is double-barreled and somewhat biased. It combines two different ideas (“difficult” and “uncomfortable”) into one question, which may confuse respondents. Moreover, the wording may lead respondents toward a negative answer, reducing the reliability of the data.