Question Wording and Data Sourcing

This article briefly considers two issues: question wording in public opinion polling, and statements about where data comes from.

A Question of Wording

Questions on whether the British public should have a further referendum on exiting the European Union have a panoply of variants. How these questions are worded induces different responses, based on conceptual differences and mere choice in language.

This phenomenon was recently illustrated when the same company, surveying people in the same time period, asked two different questions on holding an EU referendum and received two different responses.

Between 14–15th March 2019, YouGov had two separate polls of its internet panel: sponsored by the People’s Vote campaign and The Times.

At least, that is clear. (Image: Twitter)

Consider the full wording of these questions:

• People’s Vote: If Britain looks set to leave the EU without a deal, would you support or oppose a public vote on whether Britain should leave without a deal or stay as a member of the EU?
• The Times: Do you think there should or should not be a new referendum held on whether Britain should leave the European Union or remain a member?

There are three differences between these questions: