Question

Examine each of the following questions for possible bias. If you think the question is biased, indicate how and propose a better question. a) Do you think high school students should be required to wear uniforms? b) Given humanity's great tradition of exploration, do you favor continued funding for space flights?

Short answer

Question A is unbiased. Question B is biased; it should be rephrased to remove implied value judgments.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Bias in Question A

The question asks if 'high school students should be required to wear uniforms,' but it does not display clear bias. It is straightforward and does not lead the respondent towards a particular answer. Therefore, the question is unbiased.

Analyze Bias in Question B

The phrase 'humanity's great tradition of exploration' suggests a positive connotation towards space exploration, which may lead respondents to lean towards favoring continued funding. This is an example of a leading question, introducing bias by suggesting exploration is inherently positive.

Propose a Better Version of Question B

To remove bias, the question can be rephrased to be more neutral. A better version could be: 'Do you support the continuation of funding for space flights?' This version does not imply value judgments about space exploration and allows for more objective responses.

Key concepts

Question Analysis

When examining a survey question, it is crucial to understand its structure and the way it might influence the respondent's answer. This involves looking at the wording, order, and framing in a question. By scrutinizing these elements, you can determine whether a question is straightforward or potentially loaded with hidden or overt suggestions.

In the case of the example, "Do you think high school students should be required to wear uniforms?", the question is direct and seems neutral. There are no emotionally charged words or suggestions that might push the respondent toward a certain answer. This is a typical case of a clear and unbiased question. The respondent can answer based purely on personal opinion without feeling influenced by the question itself.

Bias Identification

Identifying bias in survey questions is critical for ensuring the reliability and validity of the collected data. Biased questions can skew results, as they might lead respondents to favor a certain answer subconsciously.

Looking at the question, "Given humanity's great tradition of exploration, do you favor continued funding for space flights?", showcases a common type of question bias known as a leading question. The phrase "humanity's great tradition of exploration" suggests a positive historical context and could make respondents feel compelled to support the continuation of funding. This adds bias as it implies value and evokes a positive attitude toward space exploration.

Effectively identifying such biases requires critical thinking and an understanding of how language can subtly influence thoughts and attitudes.

Question Rephrasing

Rephrasing biased questions is an essential step in creating neutral and fair survey questions. When you remove leading terms or suggestive language, the questions become more objective.

To correct the biased question regarding space exploration, one can strip away the implied positive narrative and focus purely on the main issue. A rephrased question might be, "Do you support the continuation of funding for space flights?" This version removes any emotive language or historical suggestions, allowing respondents to consider the question based solely on current facts or their personal views.

By practicing careful question rephrasing, survey designers can ensure that they collect data that truly reflects the opinions of their respondents without interference from the survey's wording.