---
title: "Methods 101: Survey Question Wording"
description: "The second video in Pew Research Center's Methods 101 series helps explain question wording – a concept at the center of sound public opinion survey research – and why it’s important."
date: "2018-03-21"
authors:
  - name: "Peter Bell"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/2018/03/21/methods-101-video-question-wording/"
categories:
  - "Survey Basics"
  - "Survey Methods"
---

# Methods 101: Survey Question Wording

The second video in Pew Research Center's [Methods 101](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ9z-Af5ISavJpPlvdMU4T-etIDOUmldk) series helps explain question wording – a concept at the center of sound public opinion survey research – and why it’s important. Writing clear and neutral survey questions is much more difficult than it might seem. We spend a lot of time thinking about the phrasing and ordering of our survey questions. Paying close attention to these seemingly minor factors makes a huge difference. It helps us avoid the trap of poorly worded or leading questions, which can skew survey results.

- [Random Sampling](https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/2017/05/12/methods-101-video-random-sampling/)
- [Survey Question Wording](https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/2018/03/21/methods-101-video-question-wording/)
- [Mode effects](https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/2019/02/07/methods-101-mode-effects/)
- [What are nonprobability surveys?](https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/2018/08/06/video-explainer-what-are-nonprobability-surveys/)
- [How is polling done around the world?](https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/2019/07/16/video-how-is-polling-done-around-the-world/)
- [What is machine learning, and how does it work?](https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/2020/06/04/video-what-is-machine-learning-and-how-does-it-work/)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFzGdQrr2K8