Texas A&M University (TAMU) POLS206 American National Government Exam 2 Practice

The role of question order in public opinion polling is significant because the sequence in which questions are asked can influence respondents' answers. This phenomenon, known as "question-order effect," occurs for several reasons.

First, earlier questions can set a context or frame for later questions, which may lead respondents to answer differently than they would have if the questions were asked in another order. For example, if a survey begins with questions that emphasize economic issues, respondents may be more likely to prioritize economic concerns in subsequent questions, even if they might not have done so if those questions were asked first.

Additionally, the cognitive load on respondents can be affected by the order; if they have already engaged with certain topics beforehand, they may respond to later questions with that context in mind, thus biasing their responses.

Because of these dynamics, the structure and order of questions are critical in obtaining accurate and reliable data from surveys. Pollsters and researchers must carefully consider how they arrange questions to minimize unintended influences on respondents' opinions. This understanding of question order's impact is essential for anyone interpreting or conducting polling research.