Problem 1. Identify the problem with the following questionnaire items:
a) Which is the most serious social problem in the U.S. today, anomie or oversocialization?
b) Do you think there is a good market for the product and that it will sell well?
Answer: This is a double barreled question and such questions should be avoided. This question above has two possible answers. It would be better to ask two separate questions: (1) "Do you think there is a good market for the product?" and (2) "Do you think the product will sell well?" These questions will have separate "Yes" or "No" responses.
c) Don't you think that in these days of escalating costs of living, employees should be given good pay raises?
Answer: This is a leading question, it is leading the respondent to give an answer that is desired by the researcher. This is pressuring the respondent to say "yes". Another way to ask the same question is as follows: "To what extent do you agree that respondents should definitely be given a high pay rise". The scale will be from "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree".
d) A set of response categories to the question "What is your current age?" is:
i. 1-5
ii. 5-10
iii. 10-20
iv. 20-30
v. 30-40