1. When 2 Questions are Better Than One Jack Fowler Center for Survey Research UMASS Boston QUEST 2007 OTTAWA

2. 2-question example 1. During the past 6 months, …were you or anyone else …injured or poisoned seriously enough that you or they got medical advice or treatment? Vs. 1A. During the past 6 months, …were you or anyone else …injured seriously enough… 1B. During the past 6 months, …were you or anyone else poisoned seriously enough…

3. Results Version 1: 12% either injured, poisoned, or both Version 1A: 19% injured Verson 1B: 0% poisoned

4. Conclusion Respondents were distracted by trying to deal with 2 questions at once and they underreported injuries. 2 questions are better than 1.

5. Another example and a puzzle Version 1 To lower your risk of heart problems or stroke, has a doctor or other health professional advised you to: Cut down on salt or sodium in your diet Eat fewer high fat..foods Get more exercise.. Control your weight or lose weight

6. Version 2 Has a doctor or other health professional ever advised you to cut down on salt..? IF YES. Did the doctor …recommend this for your general health or specifically to lower your risk of heart problems or stroke?

7. One Result Version 1: 22% said yes Version 2 (2 questions): 10% said yes, recommended lower salt specifically to lower heart or stroke risk

8. All four results: Take step to reduce heart/stroke risk Version 1 Version StepVersion 1 Version 2 Salt22%10% Low Fat45%17% Exercise50%9% Weight39%5%

9. The puzzle: Suggest step for heart/stroke risk vs unspecified Step Version 1( for heart/stro ke risk) Version 2 (Unspecifi ed why) Salt22%28% Low fat45%44% Exercise50%43% Lose weight 39%30%

10. Possiblity That including the concept of reducing risk of heart problems or stroke stimulates recall of counseling about the various steps. Same thing could, of course, be accomplished with an introduction: “Doctors sometimes talk with their patients about losing weight, either to reduce their risks o heart problems or because it might help their health in other ways. Has a doctor ever…”

11. Conclusion 1. It is possible that extra material in a question can help spur recall. 2. Almost certainly, two questions are better than one question that includes two or more questions and will produce more accurate data