Effects of Item Grouping and Position of the “Don't Know” Option on Questionnaire Response

Bibliographic Data

ID7774072
AuthorsTony C M Lam (University of Toronto), Kathy E Green (University of Denver), Catherine Bordignon (University of Toronto)
Year2002
Volume14
Issue4
Pages418-432
Publication date2002-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCAM (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1087-8513 • E-ISSN: 1552-3969
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/152582202237730
OpenAlexW2017594163
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited30

This study examined the effects of questionnaire item grouping (thematic versus random) and placement of the “don't know” option (before or after the rating scale) on the frequency of nonattitude responses (checking don't know and omission) in rating attitude statements. Response consistency was also evaluated by item grouping. Findings supported the hypothesis that knowledge of an item's theme and of other items related to that theme encouraged attitude responses by reducing the frequency of don't know responses. The authors found no evidence that positioning the don't know option at the end of the rating scale reduced nonattitude responses. Furthermore, thematic grouping enhanced internal consistency reliability for four of six subscales and the total scale

Consistency (knowledge bases) · Developmental psychology · Internal consistency · Psychometrics · Qualitative research · Rating scale · Reliability (semiconductor) · Scale (ratio) · Thematic analysis · Theme (computing) · Applied Psychology · Artificial Intelligence · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management · Psychology · Psychometric Methodologies and Testing · Social Psychology · Survey Methodology and Nonresponse

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub