Asking Questions

Introduction

“Asking Questions” is a comprehensive guidebook that provides readers with an in-depth understanding of the art and science of asking questions. The book is written by three eminent scholars in the field of survey research – Norman M. Bradburn, Seymour Sudman, and Brian Wansink. The authors have extensive experience in designing surveys and conducting research, and they share their expertise with readers in this well-written and informative book.

Overview of the Book

The book is divide into three parts, each of which covers a different aspect of the survey research process. This section provides an overview of the importance of asking questions and the challenges associated with designing effective surveys. Second section focuses on the technical aspects of question design, including the different types of questions and the best practices for wording and formatting questions. Part Three covers the practical aspects of conducting surveys, including sample design, data collection, and data analysis.

Part One:

Overview The authors begin by discussing the importance of asking questions, highlighting how the results of surveys can influence public policy, business decisions, and social change. They also emphasize the need for precision and accuracy in survey research and discuss the potential sources of error and bias that can impact the validity of survey results. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of the survey research process and highlight the importance of careful planning and execution.

Part Two:

Technical Aspects Part Two delves into the technical aspects of question design, covering the different types of questions that are commonly use in surveys, including close-end, open-end, and scale questions. The authors provide clear explanations of each type of question and the advantages and disadvantages of using each type. They also discuss the importance of question order and the impact that question context can have on respondents’ answers.

The authors also provide detailed guidance on how to word and format questions to ensure. That they are clear and unambiguous. They provide practical tips on how to avoid leading questions. How to minimize social desirability bias, and how to use skip patterns effectively. The authors also provide examples of good and bad questions to illustrate their points. It highlights the potential pitfalls of poor question design.

Part Three:

It covers the practical aspects of conducting surveys, including sample design, data collection, and data analysis. The authors provide an overview of the different types of sampling methods. Including probability and non-probability sampling, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method. They also provide guidance on how to select an appropriate sample size and how to deal with non-response bias.

The authors also cover the different methods of data collection, including face-to-face interviews, telephone surveys, and online surveys. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method. It provides practical tips on how to maximize response rates and minimize respondent burden. The authors also cover the basics of data analysis, including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. It provides guidance on how to interpret survey results and communicate findings effectively.

Critique

The book is well-written and easy to understand, with clear explanations and practical examples throughout. The authors provide comprehensive coverage of the survey research process, from planning and design to data analysis and interpretation. The book is also very practical, with plenty of guidance and tips on how to design effective surveys and avoid common pitfalls.

One potential limitation of the book is that it is primarily focuse on survey research. Which may limit its applicability to other types of research. Additionally, some readers may find the technical sections of the book to be too detail. While others may find that the practical sections do not provide enough depth.

Conclusion

Overall, “Asking Questions” is an excellent resource for anyone involve in survey research. From students and researchers to practitioners and policymakers.