Survey Critique Exercise
By Rachel Di Cesare

3a) Unclear wording /terminology in the question (respondents may not understand the question)

With a need for improvement, the following question vaguely asks the reader:

How do you define yourself in terms of your friends?

* This is would not make sense to the respondent as there is a poor choice of wording that makes it confusing. To correct the question, a better choice of expression would make much easier to comprehend.

E.g. What qualities would your friends use to describe you?

b) Unclear directions in how to respond to the question

What five characteristics do you most look for in a friend? Please CHOOSE FIVE of the following characteristics.

___Loyalty __Popularity
___Appearance __Grades
___Self Control __Empathy
___Being Assertive _Compassion
___Athletic Ability __Integrity
___Honesty __Courage
___Respect __Wealth
___Competitiveness

* The question asks the reader to choose 5 characteristics, but not how to choose it. More specification should be considered into the question, such as asking the respondent to place a check mark beside the desired answers.

c) Ambiguity in responses-respondent may be confused about how to answer because some answers overlap or they perceive no correct answer.

What does bullying mean to you?

-Emotional abuse
-Physical abuse
-Sexual harassment
-Other

* Physical abuse and sexual abuse and emotional abuse are all linked to each other because they are all forms of unwanted association , and this may be confuse the reader as it makes it hard to distinguish one answer from the other since they overlap and are somewhat repetitive. Also, the answers are one-sided as the point of view is not only from the victim, but the bully as well. There are no victims without bullies.

The responses should