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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 do not have the desired experience with the topic. Thus, filter questions allow researchers to gather data only on questions that are applicable to the individual.

This entry discusses how to format filter questions and potential drawbacks of filter questions. One study may have multiple filter questions of varying complexity; filter question formatting and complexity varies for paper-based compared to online surveys. Potential issues of using filter questions are also described, such as the loss of potentially important data and measurement error.

Formatting

Filter questions are used in research designs that have standardized questions and a limited set of responses, such as in face-to-face structured interviews, structured telephone interviews, and computer-administered or self-administered paper questionnaires. With paper surveys, participants are often given explicit instructions for how to fill out the survey according to filter questions. Interviews and online surveys require less effort from the participant, as the interviewer or computer presents the appropriate questions for the participant to answer.

Multiple Filter Questions

When multiple filter questions are included in a study, researchers can choose between two formatting styles. In a grouped format, a researcher or computer first asks all filter questions and appropriate follow-up questions are asked once all filter questions have been answered. Alternatively, researchers can use a leafed format, in which all topically relevant follow-up questions are asked before moving on to the next filter question. A grouped format is most valid, as further explained in this entry. However, a grouped format is not usually plausible for paper surveys, as the instructions would be too complex.

Filter Question Complexity

The simplest form of a filter question has two tiers: the filter question and the follow-up questions. However, filter questions may build on each other. For example, researchers may ask participants if they smoke (Filter Question 1), and if yes, if they smoke cigarettes (Filter Question 2a), or if they smoke marijuana (Filter Question 2b). Participants would then be asked follow-up questions about cigarette smoking and marijuana smoking, as appropriate.

Self-Administered Paper Questionnaires

Questionnaires that are self-administered by participants (i.e., paper surveys) differ in formatting from non–self-administered surveys because instructions must be easy for the participants to follow. For example, after a filter question, paper survey instructions often say “If NO, please skip to page 4” and “If YES, please continue with the questions below.” Paper surveys typically do not have filter questions that build on each other, as instructions for multiple filter levels can confuse participants. If possible, instructions telling participants to skip ahead typically refer to page numbers rather than question numbers, as pages are easier for participants to locate than questions. Alternatively, relatively short follow-up questions may be placed in a box with an arrow directing participants to answer that set of questions if applicable. This formatting is typically easier for participants to follow, as the follow-up questions do not interrupt the visual flow of the survey.

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