Korean War

Do you think the US made a mistake in deciding to defend Korea or not ?

Mistake 49%

Not a mistake 38%

Don't Know 13%

Do you think that the US was right or wrong in sending American troops to stop the Communist invasion of South Korea ?

Mistake 36%

Not a mistake 55%

Don't Know 9%

Unemployment benefits

Do you think the govt. should give money to workers who are unemployed for a limited length of time until they can find another job ?

Yes = 63%

No = 32%

Don't know = 5%

It has been proposed that unemployed workers with dependents be given up to $25 per week by the govt. for as many as 26 weeks during one year while they are out of work and looking for a job. Do you favor or oppose this plan ?

Yes = 46%

No = 42%

Don't know = 12%

Would you be willing to pay higher taxes to give unemployed persons up to $25 a week if they fail to find satisfactory jobs ?

Yes = 34%

No = 54%

Don't know = 12%

If you ask, you are likely to get an answer

Which of the following statements most closely coincides with your opinion of the Metallic Metals Acts ?

It would be a good move on the part of the US = 21.4%

It would be a good thing but should be left to the individual states = 58.6%

It is alright for foreign countries but should not be required here = 15.7%

It is of no value at all = 4.3%

No opinion = 0.3%

Lousy questions

Do you think there is too much power concentrated in the hands of union officials ?

Are you in favor of forcing state, county, and municipal employees to pay union dues to hold their government jobs ?

Are you in favor of allowing construction union czars the power to shut down an entire construction, thus forcing even more workers to knuckle under to union agencies ?

Do you want union officials, in effect, to decide how many municipal employees you, the taxpayer, must support ?

Should all construction workers be forced into unions through legalized situs picketing, thus raising the cost of building your schools, hospitals, and homes ?

Would you vote for someone who had forced public employees to join a labor union and be fired ?

One and a half barelled question

The United States is now negotiating a strategic arms agreement with the Soviet Union in what is known as SALT II. Which one of the following statements is closest to your opinion on these negotiations ?

I strongly support SALT II

SALT II is somewhat disappointing, but on balance I have to support it.

I would like to see more protection for the US before I would be ready to support SALT II

I strongly oppose the SALT II arms agreement with the Russians

I don't know enough about the SALT II to have an opinion yet

Asking Threatening Questions

Recent surveys have shown that a large pecentage of men use their wife's hair spray. Have you used your wife's hair spray ?

When was the last time you used you wife's hair spray ?

Casual Approach

Numbered Card

Everybody approach

The "Other people" approach

Sealed ballot approach

Avoid Ambiguous words & questions

How often do you use ..... ? Never Sometimes Often

Some ambiguous words

about

all

always

any

bad

ever

Do you live within five minutes of here ?

Where do you shop usually ?

How frequently do you drink coffee ? Very frequently ......Seldom

How many cups of coffee do you drink a day ?

Avoid implicit alternatives & assumptions

Would you like to have a job, if this were possible ?

Would you prefer to have a job or do you prefer housework ?

Would you like pasta in a jar ?

Would you like pasta in a jar if canned pasta is available ?

Would you like to fly when travelling short distances ?

Would you like to fly when travelling short distances or would you rather drive ?

Are you in favor of placing price controls on crude oil ?

Are you in favor of placing price controls on crude oil if it would produce rationing ?

Use Clear, Simple Language

State the level of efficacy of your preponderant dishwashing liquid ?????!!!

How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your dishwashing liquid ?

Use more than one question if necessary

Why do you use Crest toothpaste ?

Because by doctor told me to.

Because it has fluoride.

Avoid bias

Do you often shop at lower class stores like K Mart ?

We are from Walmart stores. How much do you like .....

A Funnel Sequence

How do you think this country is getting along in its relations with other countries ?

How do you think we are doing in our relations with Russia ?

Do you think we ought to be dealing with Russia differently from the way we are ?

(If yes) What should we be doing differently ?

Some people say we should get tougher with Russia, and others think we are too tough as it is. How do you feel about it ?

Inverted funnel sequence

When was the last time you bought chewing gum ? paper towels ? vegetables ?

What do you think of your grocery store ?

Note: Thanks to Seymour Sudman for the use of examples from his book, "Asking Questions".

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