Transcript Ways of Biasing Questions

WAYS OF BIASING ANSWERS AND RESULTS:
1. Sequencing of questions so as to influence the answers of following
questions by previous questions.
2. Loading a question by using a word or a phrase that elicits the desired
response and diverts attention from the real issue.(e.g., "communist")
3. Steering the respondent to the desired answer (e.g., using only
"approve" rather than "approve or disapprove")
4. Not allowing for shades of opinion
5. Educating the user in only part of the truth
6. Leading the respondent by stating an opinion or judgment in the
question.
7. Making misleading interpretations
a. Adding another dimension in one of the possible responses.
b. Adding another dimension in the question itself.
c. Analysis - grouping neutral responses with extreme responses.
8. Making changes in wording in general.
5. Educating the user in only part of the truth
[Committee on the Present Danger]
The Soviet Union has made a modern bomber called the
“Backfire” which is capable of attacking the U.S. with
nuclear weapons. If the proposed SALT treaty does not
count the “Backfire” bomber as a Soviet strategic nuclear
delivery system, would you then be:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Definitely opposed to the Treaty
Somewhat inclined to oppose the Treaty
In support of the Treaty, nevertheless
Don’t know/ no opinion
5. Educating the user in only part of the truth
[Committee on the Present Danger]
The Soviet Union has made a modern bomber called the
“Backfire” which is capable of attacking the U.S. with
nuclear weapons. If the proposed SALT treaty does not
count the “Backfire” bomber as a Soviet strategic nuclear
delivery system, would you then be:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Definitely opposed to the Treaty
Somewhat inclined to oppose the Treaty
In support of the Treaty, nevertheless
Don’t know/ no opinion
6. Leading the respondent by stating an opinion or
judgment in the question.
[Americans Against Union Control of Government]
Do you believe if military unions were allowed, union
bosses would use strikes or work “slow downs” to achieve
their ends as police and firemen have since they have
been unionized?
[Business Roundtable]
Those in favor of setting up an additional federal consumer
protection agency on top of the other agencies say it is needed
because the agencies we have are not getting the job done
themselves. Those who oppose setting up the additional
agency say that we already have plenty of government
agencies to protect consumers and it is just a matter of making
them work better…. Do you favor setting up an additional
consumer protection agency over all others, or do you favor
doing what is necessary to make the agencies we now have
more effective in protecting consumer interests?
6. Leading the respondent by stating an opinion or
judgment in the question.
[Americans Against Union Control of Government]
Do you believe if military unions were allowed, union
bosses would use strikes or work “slow downs” to achieve
their ends as police and firemen have since they have
been unionized?
[Business Roundtable]
Those in favor of setting up an additional federal consumer
protection agency on top of the other agencies say it is needed
because the agencies we have are not getting the job done
themselves. Those who oppose setting up the additional
agency say that we already have plenty of government
agencies to protect consumers and it is just a matter of making
them work better…. Do you favor setting up an additional
consumer protection agency over all others, or do you favor
doing what is necessary to make the agencies we now have
more effective in protecting consumer interests?
7 a. Making misleading interpretations
Adding another dimension in one of the
possible responses.
[COMMITTEE ON THE PRESENT DANGER]
The United States is now negotiating a strategic arms agreement with the Soviet
Union in what is known as SALT II. Which of the following statements is closest
to your opinion on these negotiations:
a)
I strongly support SALT II
b)
SALT II is somewhat disappointing, but on balance I would have
to support it.
c)
I would like to see more protection for the United States before I
8.3%
11.7%
41.7%
would be ready to support SALT II
d)
I strongly oppose the SALT II arms agreement with the Russians
8.6%
e)
I Don’t know enough about the SALT II treaty to have an opinion yet
29.6%
If we combine responses c and d, 50.3% oppose SALT II
7 b. Adding another dimension in the question
itself
[Americans for SALT]
As you may know, the SALT agreement is an agreement
between the United States and the Soviet Union for both
to limit their ability to fight a nuclear war. Would you say
you favor or oppose such a treaty?
In Favor
Opposed
Don’t Know
69%
27%
4%
Now only 27% are opposed to SALT II Treaty
7 c. Analysis – Grouping neutral responses with extreme
responses
[NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION]
In general, would you say there are already too many laws
governing the possession and use of firearms, the present
laws are about right, or that we need more such laws?

Already too many
13%

About right
41%

Need more
44%

Don’t know
2%
NRA [opposes gun control]: 54% majority who see no need for more
laws governing the possession & use of firearms
Gun Control Advocates: 44% of those surveyed believed we need more
laws controlling possession & use of guns versus only 13% who think we
need fewer
8. Making Changes in the Wording in General
[NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION]
A national gun registration program might well eventually lead to
the confiscation of registered firearms by the government
 Agree strongly
12%
51% oppose
 Agree
39%
41%
 Disagree
8%
 Disagree strongly
[CENTER FOR THE STUDY AND PREVENTION OF HANDGUN
VIOLENCE]
Would you agree or disagree?: The only way to control handguns
is by federal law; state laws which allow them to be purchased
in some states and not in others are ineffective.
70%
70% in favor
 Agree
14%
 Disagree
16%
 Don’t know
[OPINION RESEARCH]
Do you favor the United States continuing its ownership and
control of the Panama Canal, or do you favor turning
ownership and control of the Panama Canal over to the
Republic of Panama?

In favor of retaining control
72%

In favor of giving it up
19%
[GALLUP POLL]
The treaties would give Panama full control over the Panama
Canal and the Canal zone by year 2000, but the United
States would retain the right to defend the Canal against a
third nation. Do you favor or oppose these treaties
between the U.S. and Panama?
43%
 Favor treaties
 Opposed to treaties ( i.e. retain control)
37%
Q) Does advertising lower or raise prices?
The wording of the question influences the answer.
Consumer Attitude Toward Distribution
The consumer must pay more for goods because of advertising.
33
 No
39
 Yes
17
 Doubtful
11
 No answer
Advertising may cause the consumer to pay less for a product than
if it were not advertised because it increases sales and makes it
possible to cut the cost of production and marketing.
52
 Yes
18
 No
20
 Doubtful
10
 No answer
( Source: Americans & advertising, by Stephen Greyser & Raymond Bauer)