Faculty Publications

I Say, They Say: Effects Of Providing Examples In A Question About Multitasking

Document Type

Article

Keywords

examples, open-ended questions, question wording, Questionnaire design, respondent multitasking

Journal/Book/Conference Title

International Journal of Social Research Methodology

Abstract

In this study, we examine the effect of providing examples in the responses to a question about multitasking. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental conditions: the first group received one set of examples (watching TV or watching kids), the second group received a different set of examples (walking or talking with someone else), and a final group received no examples. The experiment was embedded in a state-wide dual-frame telephone survey in the United States (N = 1,761). The results of the study show that providing examples did not affect the number of non-survey activities indicated by respondents. However, the examples did affect the activities reported by them, with activities listed as examples being more likely to be reported.

Original Publication Date

1-1-2020

DOI of published version

10.1080/13645579.2020.1813867

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

Link to Full Text

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