Social studies · Grades 8–12
Surveys, public choices and accountability
Wording should not pressure the respondent toward an answer.
Understand the idea
Ask a neutral question
Wording should not pressure the respondent toward an answer.
Describe the sample
Explain who was asked and who might be missing.
Make the reasoning visible
Public choices can be examined against stated evidence and criteria.
Worked examples
Which survey question is least leading?
It asks for a preference without praising one choice.
Which opening time would you prefer?
What is wrong with Do you support safer and cheaper transport? as a single survey question?
Credit the double-barrelled structure.
It combines two features; someone may support one but doubt or reject the other.
Try it yourself
A survey asks only people attending one event. Its results describe
- the respondents, with limits on generalization
- only people who refused to answer
- every resident automatically
- all future visitors
A survey receives 150 replies from 600 invitations. Find the response rate as a percentage.
Why can nonresponse matter even when many replies are received?
Which action makes a decision more transparent?
- Hiding the criteria until after the result
- Reporting only a slogan
- Publishing the criteria, evidence and reasons
- Deleting disagreement
Answers and marking notes
Answers and marking notes
- the respondents, with limits on generalization
The sample may not represent the broader population.
- 25
150/600 × 100 = 25%.
- Respondents and nonrespondents may differ in relevant ways, producing bias.
A large response count alone does not ensure representativeness.
- Publishing the criteria, evidence and reasons
The basis for the choice becomes inspectable.
Preview material · independent educational review required. Grade bands are approximate, not official curriculum alignment.