In a short essay, list and discuss at least four guidelines that should be followed in order to avoid problems in question wording

What will be an ideal response?

a. Define the issue - questions should always clearly define the issue being addressed. An issue should be defined in terms of who, what, when, where, and why. These-particularly who, what, when, and where-can also serve as guidelines for defining the issue in a question.
b. Use simple words - simple, ordinary words that match the vocabulary level of the respondent should be used in a questionnaire. When choosing words, keep in mind that the average person in the U.S. has a high school, not a college, education.
c. Use unambiguous words - when selecting words for a questionnaire, the questionnaire designer should choose words with only one meaning. This is not an easy task given that a number of words that appear unambiguous can have different meanings to different people.
d. Avoid producing leading or biasing questions - a leading question is one that clues the respondent to what the answer should be. Words can lead respondents in a particular direction. Identification of the research sponsor can have the same effect.
e. Balance dual statements - evidence shows that the responses obtained from questions often depend on the direction of the wording of the question-whether the wording is stated positively or negatively. Questions of this type should be balanced by using dual statements, some of which are positive and some negative.