5 Examples of Leading Questions, Plus How to Avoid Them

Leading questions are questions that subtly guide or influence respondents toward a particular answer or viewpoint. They can introduce bias into market research interviews and compromise the objectivity of the data collected. Here are five examples of leading questions and some strategies market interviewers can use to avoid them:

1. Subtle Leading Question: "How satisfied are you with the excellent customer service provided by Company X?"

Avoidance Strategy: Instead, ask a more open-ended and neutral question such as, "Can you describe your experience with customer service from Company X?"

2. Subtle Leading Question: "Wouldn't you agree that Product Y is a more cost-effective option?"

Avoidance Strategy: Focus on gathering unbiased opinions by asking, "What are your thoughts on the cost-effectiveness of different products in the market?"

3. Subtle Leading Question: "Considering the superior quality of Product Z, how likely are you to recommend it to others?"

Avoidance Strategy: Reframe the question to be more neutral, such as, "On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely are you to recommend Product Z to others? Can you please explain your rating?"

4. Subtle Leading Question: "Don't you find the new website design much more user-friendly?"

Avoidance Strategy: Instead, ask an open-ended question like, "What are your thoughts on the user-friendliness of the new website design?"

5. Subtle Leading Question: "Wouldn't it be beneficial for the company to introduce a customer loyalty program?"

Avoidance Strategy: Maintain neutrality by asking, "What are your thoughts on the potential benefits of introducing a loyalty program for customers?"

By avoiding leading language, interviewers can elicit unbiased responses from participants and ensure that the data collected remains objective and reliable. Open-ended questions encouraging respondents to express their opinions and experiences without guiding them toward a particular answer are key to obtaining accurate market research insights.