Effects of Questionnaire Order on Self-Reported Sexual Behavior, Risk Perceptions, and Ratings of HIV and STD Protection Strategies

Abstract This study examined the effect of questionnaire order on the assessment of sexual behaviors, risk perceptions, and ratings of pro-tection strategies. College student participants (n = 138) were randomly assigned to complete the study measures in one of two orders: (1) sexual behaviors and risk perceptions questions followed by ratings of protec-tion strategies; or (2) protection strategy questions followed by sexual behaviors and risk perceptions. A significant effect for questionnaire order was found such that ratings of effectiveness of Illusory HIV and Illusory STD protection strategies were significantly higher, and risk perceptions were significantly lower, when sexual behavior questions were asked first in comparison to when protection strategy questions were asked first. However, questionnaire order had no effect on the self-report of sexual behaviors (number of sexual partners, unprotected vaginal and oral sex), or ratings of effectiveness of real HIV and STD protection strategies. The re-sults suggest that researchers need to carefully consider questionnaire order when assessing human sexuality.