The use of a "no opinion" option in fixed-alternative response questions is
A)not necessary because individuals will always express an opinion.
B)recommended by all leading authorities on questionnaire design.
C)not recommended because it allows individuals to "take the easy way out".
D)appropriate if pretesting or exploratory research reveals that 20-25% of the respondents either don't know or don't hold an opinion.
E)not likely to affect the results of the survey.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Including a "no opinion" option is appropriate if pretesting or exploratory research reveals that a significant proportion of respondents do not know or do not hold an opinion. This can improve the accuracy of the survey results by allowing respondents to truthfully indicate their lack of opinion rather than guessing or choosing a random response. However, including a "no opinion" option should not be used indiscriminately as it can also allow respondents to take the easy way out and not think critically about the question being asked.

The Use of a "No Opinion" Option in Fixed-Alternative Response