---
url: "https://questionstar.com/principles-of-survey-research/chapter-3/slide-099.html"
title: "Is the respondent informed?"
type: "lehrbuch-slide"
chapter: 3
chapterTitle: "Questionnaire"
slide: 99
---

# Is the respondent informed?

*Respondents often answer questions even when they are not informed.*

Respondents often answer questions **even when they are not informed** .

**Classic experiment:** In response to a question about the fictitious "Consumer Complaints Bureau," **51.9 %** of lawyers and **75 %** of the general public answered — even though no such bureau exists.

![Person answering even though they don't know](/principles-of-survey-research/media/guy_unsure.png)

### Remedy 1 · Filter questions

Ask in advance about **knowledge** or shopping frequency — e.g. in a study of 10 shops.

### Remedy 2 · "Don't know"

Offer a **"Don't know" answer option** instead of forcing answers.

---

*Slide 99 of 274 · Chapter 3: Questionnaire · Principles of Survey Research · Dr. Paul Marx*