Ask Them Their Age

Helpful research design hint: When screening a library music test, many stations will ask potential respondents their age in a general way. "Are you 25-29, 30-34 or 35-39 years old, or older?"

They are afraid that having a stranger ask them what their exact age makes some people uncomfortable.

And there is some evidence that this can happen.

But, once they are at the test, filling out the personal information sheet, don't be shy. It is pretty clear you are doing a legitimate survey at that point.

Have them write down their age as an exact number of years. do not ask them to choose from a number of ranges.

Why?

• Research types like me will use that information in a variety of ways.
• We may shift the age breaks a bit to better balance the sample.
• We might divide the ages up in more than one way: For example: 25-29, 30-34 and 35-39, but also 25-32 and 33-39.
• Some programmers want us to find what might be called the "sweet spot". For example, what is the 5 year group out of a 15 year wide sample that gives the highest scores to the songs?

The value to you is: Research analysts can give you better analysis with precise age data. And once the respondents have begun the test, there is no problem in asking.