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Double-Barreled Questions Definition

Survey questions which really ask two questions at the same time. They can confuse respondents and answers to such questions are uninterpretable, because it is not possible to determine to which question the answer refers.

Double-barreled questions are survey or interview questions that combine two or more distinct inquiries within a single question. They can confuse respondents, so answers to such questions can be uninterpretable because it is not possible to determine what question the answer refers to. What’s more, responses could be biased because respondents might have different answers for each part of the question. Avoiding double-barreled questions is key to marketing research because clear and concise questions lead to accurate, understandable responses. Steering clear double-barreled questions enhances the reliability of data.

Who relies on double-barreled questions?

Researchers, analysts and organizations conducting marketing research may stumble upon double-barreled questions because of a lack of careful wording or an attempt to combine questions. Double-barreled questions must be avoided for the sake of accuracy and reliability.

Why should I care about double-barreled questions?

Double-barreled questions can compromise the quality of research data. That’s because responses can be ambiguous and challenging to understand. If that happens, the actual preferences or opinions of respondents may be lost. Properly constructed and focused questions are critical for correct insights.