Page 88 - OSEP Master Educator LG V1.0-2
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Beware of leading questions.
What is a leading A leading question is a question asked in such a way that the answer is
question? contained within the question.
Why might it be The person answering the question only has to agree with what you
bad? say, rather than coming up with the answer themselves.
Furthermore, the person may feel that you are not truly giving them a
chance to speak and offer their own opinion.
Example Q: ‘Tim, would you agree that the best way to get from point A to point
C is to go through point B?’
A: ‘Uh…yes?’
Alternative Q: ‘Tim, can you tell me the best way to get from point A to point C?’
A: ‘The best way to get from point A to point C is through point B.’
A leading question Leading questions may be used to state a point before moving on. For
is sometimes okay example ‘Would we all agree that having a positive trainer- learner
relationship is essential for effective training to occur? [Your
participants will of course say ‘Yes’.] Okay, so let’s see how we can
ensure that the relationship is positive …’
Avoid Multi- Barreled questions.
What is a multi- A multi- barreled question is the term given to a series of questions
barreled posed at once.
question?
Why is it bad? The person you ask will become overwhelmed by the volume of
information being asked for and will not be able to specifically address
all your queries.
Example ‘Mary could you tell me the best way to get from point A to C, then tell
me where you would go to find out about the road conditions on the
day you are travelling and give a contingency route for getting from A
to C if your original route isn’t possible.
Alternative Q: ‘Mary, tell me the best way to get from point A to point C?”
A: ‘The best way to get from point A to point C is through point B.’
Q; ‘Great. And how can you find out about the road conditions the day
you want to travel from point A to point C?’
A: ‘I’d listen to the radio.’
Q: ‘Terrific. What if you find out that the road that goes through point
B is blocked? Is there an alternative rout you could take?’ ... etc.
(adapted from Blackwater, 2012)
Page 82 OSEP Master Educator Learner’s Guide 
