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Sensitive Subjects

Something to consider...

When designing screening questions for sensitive topics, think about how the screening question is phrased so that it does not embarrass potential respondents.

In traditional research, not all respondents are comfortable with answering questions on particularly sensitive subjects. Examples of this include some health, behavioural, or financial related topics.

With online research, the recruiter and the interviewer are removed from the process, so the respondent feels more anonymous. In our experience, this not only enables screening for hard-to-reach samples, but can also lead to richer and more open and honest responses.

Some examples of the types of survey we have run that reflect the candour of respondents include:

Panel health condition screening – our panellists have told us about the conditions affecting themselves and their families, including Allergies, bladder conditions, bowel conditions, cancers, chest and lung conditions, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, infertility, menopausal symptoms, menstrual pain, skin conditions, sexually transmitted diseases etc.

Anti-Social behaviour study – looking at anti-social practices e.g. not paying public transport fares, parking in disabled parking spaces at the supermarket etc

Debt study – survey looking at the level of individual debt people are in and attitudes towards being in debt

Contact
For more information on conducting sensitive studies online, contact:
Phil Rance,
Commercial Director