Forced Choice vs Neutral Options: Why Forcing Choices May Damage Your Data

In this episode of the Total Survey Design Podcast, I explore whether to include a neutral midpoint option in survey questions or force respondents to pick a side. I define forced-choice formats, from even-numbered scales and binary picks to pairwise comparisons. I discuss key evidence like the 2019 Pew Research experiment, which found forced yes/no questions increased reporting on sensitive topics compared to select-all-that-apply lists. I present strong arguments on both sides before explaining why I usually favor neutral options for attitude and opinion questions. I end by offering an elegant solution that combines the presence of a neutral option with the need for respondents to pick a side.

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