---
url: "https://questionstar.com/principles-of-survey-research/chapter-3/slide-093.html"
title: "Avoid Implicit Assumptions"
type: "lehrbuch-slide"
chapter: 3
chapterTitle: "Questionnaire"
slide: 93
---

# Avoid Implicit Assumptions

*The answer should not depend on tacit assumptions about the consequences. Make them explicit.*

### Name the consequences

The answer should not depend on **tacit assumptions** about the consequences. Make them explicit.

![Iceberg — the unspoken assumption below the surface](/principles-of-survey-research/media/iceberg_clean.png)

### Example

"Do you think the price of milk should be lowered?"

### Ask instead

"Do you think the price of milk should be lowered, even if this makes the quality of milk worse?"

---

*Slide 93 of 274 · Chapter 3: Questionnaire · Principles of Survey Research · Dr. Paul Marx*