What is one potential outcome of using a poorly worded question in a survey?

Using a poorly worded question in a survey can lead to measurement error, which impacts the validity of the data collected. When survey questions are unclear, ambiguous, or misleading, respondents may interpret them in various ways, resulting in inconsistent or incorrect answers. This can skew the results and lead to unreliable conclusions about the population being studied.

Measurement error affects the quality of the data, making it difficult to analyze trends, understand behaviors, or draw actionable insights. It is crucial to ensure that survey questions are precise and well-structured to minimize the risk of misunderstanding and to obtain accurate, reliable data that reflect the true opinions or behaviors of the respondents. In contrast, while participation and response rates might be influenced by various factors, a poorly worded question specifically undermines the reliability of the collected data, highlighting the significance of question clarity in research design.