scale of 5): Pro- Choice Males 4.5 Females 5.0 Overall Average 4.75 Survey B (on scale of 5): Pro-Life Males 1.5 Females 3 Overall Average 2.25 It can be observed from the data and the graphical presentation that the participants in the two surveys responded very differently to the questionnaire. The participants that were given the pro-choice survey showed highly strong inclinations in favor of abortion, and the average was computed as 4.75. On the other hand, the results from the pro-life survey suggest that participants were generally indifferent or against abortion. The average on the response scale was calculated as 2.25. These results are in strong agreement with our hypothesis that the response of an individual is a function of the way the question is phrased for him/her. Discussion The study demonstrates that people tend to be influenced by the way the questions asked to them are framed. That opinion, as a result of a biased question, might not reflect the true judgment of the individual, but could be simply the result of the way he/she was asked his/her opinion. As predicted by the first hypothesis, the tone and wording of simple information can alter an individual’s conclusion regarding ethical issues. The phrasing of the question, in this case, is a representation of a scenario that the person is exposed to. The association of that person’s thought process to that particular hypothetical scenario set up by the question leads to misrepresentation of his/her opinion. In this manner, surveys are very likely to give inaccurate indications about respondent’s opinions. The results of a survey can thus be distorted if the questions are phrased in a particular way. Consequently, answers are not given honestly, and respondents would not constitute a representative sample. Psychologists use various types of surveys to ask people about their behavior, beliefs, opinions, or intentions in order to complement their resea...
