Final answer:
For a survey on personal development, an appropriate first question could be to list the most pressing personal questions or problems. To improve such survey, questions should be more specific, utilize a mixed-methods approach, and provide examples to guide the respondents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The content of the first question in a three-question, open-ended survey could vary greatly depending on the topic of the survey. However, for a survey focusing on personal development and self-improvement, a potential first question might be: “List the five or so of your most important questions or problems you think about.” This question is designed to gauge the critical issues and concerns of the respondent and allow for a diversity of responses, which can be insightful for qualitative analysis.
To identify three things wrong with a survey that asks this question:
The question may be too broad, leading to a wide variety of responses that can be difficult to analyze.
Such open-ended questions might not generate quantitatively measurable data.
The framing of the question might be confusing or overwhelming for respondents who find it hard to prioritize their concerns.
Three ways to improve the survey:
Provide more specific questions that can target different aspects of personal concerns systematically.
Consider a mixed-methods approach, using both open-ended and closed-ended questions to balance depth and measurable data.
Offer examples or categories to help guide respondents in focusing their thoughts.