I Say, They Say: Effects of Providing Examples in a Question about Multitasking

In this study, we examine the effect of providing examples in the responses to a question about multitasking. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental conditions: the first group received one set of examples (watching TV or watching kids), the second group received a different set of examples (walking or talking with someone else), and a final group received no examples. The experiment was embedded in a state-wide dual-frame telephone survey in the United States (N = 1,761). The results of the study show that providing examples did not affect the number of non-survey activities indicated by respondents. However, the examples did affect the activities reported by them, with activities listed as examples being more likely to be reported.