Survey: Filter Questions

Filter questions are questions (typically formatted as “yes or no”) meant to help respondents avoid answering questions that do not pertain to them. Respondents who answer “yes” to filter questions are then asked more detailed follow-up questions, whereas those who answer “no” are not questioned further on the topic. The purpose of filter questions is to reduce respondent burden and not waste participant or researcher time in collecting meaningless data. For example, researchers interested in studying parental advice to children may first ask a filter question such as, “Have you received advice from a parent or guardian within the last year?” Participants answering “yes” to the filter question would be questioned further on parental advice, whereas participants answering “no” would not, as they ...