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When should time-consuming questions be placed in a survey to encourage completion?
At the beginning
In the middle
At the end
Throughout the survey
The correct answer is: At the end
Placing time-consuming questions at the end of a survey is effective for promoting completion because respondents are often more engaged and willing to answer questions once they have invested time into the survey. By the time they reach the end, they may feel a sense of commitment, leading to a higher likelihood of completing the survey. Additionally, if complex or time-consuming questions are positioned at the beginning, it may deter respondents and lead to a higher dropout rate. Placing these kinds of questions in the middle can also disrupt the flow of the survey, potentially leading to frustration and abandonment. Spreading them throughout the survey could create unnecessary pauses in respondents' momentum, making it less likely they will complete the entire survey. Overall, positioning detailed or time-consuming questions at the end aligns with the principle of maintaining participant motivation and maximizing completion rates.