Interview of Scott Huffmon and Julian Zelizer on Radio Times WHYY this morning talking about polling results and the mid-term political elections. One of the interesting comments was the reference to the order of the questions asked when you conduct a survey. Scott Huffmon explained the following historical experiment.

A 1948 survey conducted by Hyman and Sheatsley in 1948 asked two questions in a specific order and then reversed the order for the other half of those surveyed. The results of the survey found that 30% gave a postive response to the question, “should a Communist reporter should be admitted to the United States.” But when the first questions was,”should an American reporter should be admitted to Russia” and then was followed by “should a Communist reporter should be admitted to the United States.” The number of people who were favorable to the Communist reporter being admitted to the United States raised to over 70%. Clearly the order of the questions dramatically changes the results.

Are you asking the right questions for your organization/cause? Do you have them in the right order? Could you alter your case for support by amending the questions you ask your supporters?

Poll image: http://www.derrycityfc.net/cityweb/images/stories/survey.jpg