Check your survey questions for common flaws

About this exercise

For your Research Methods project, you drafted 4 survey questions. Get exactly 4 numbered lines labeling each question exactly Clear, Leading or Double-barreled, using the course guide's definitions, with a reason under 12 words, plain text. Don't rewrite any of the questions.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Asking if they're good. The AI rewrites all 4 questions, and your professor can tell AI-written questions. Try: Say: "Don't rewrite any. Just label them."
• Not giving exact labels. Without fixed labels, the AI gives general tips about survey design. Try: Say: "Label each exactly Clear, Leading or Double-barreled."
• Not naming the standard. The AI may flag things your course guide doesn't care about. Try: Add: "Use only Prof. Ibe's definitions."
• Not saying how many lines. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more lines than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 4 numbered lines."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each reason: "under 10 words."
• Forgetting where it will be read. AI formats for a screen, with bold and headings that show up as stray symbols in your notes. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

• Gives exact labels
• Uses the course guide
• Says not to rewrite it
• Says how many lines
• Sets a length limit

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