Response Processes and Context Effects

Research Methods — Week 8. From the comprehensive notes.

What are the steps in the cognitive model of survey response?

Interpret the question, retrieve information, form a judgment, select a response format, and edit the response.

What are question-order effects?

Earlier items change how later questions are interpreted or what information comes to mind.

What are response-order effects?

The placement of answer options influences which responses people select.

What is counterbalancing?

Rotating the presentation order of equivalent items or conditions to reduce systematic order effects.

Why group related survey topics thoughtfully?

Sequencing can improve coherence while managing the influence of one question on another.