Multi-Item Scale:
Item Text:
English version:
C. Have employees (working for you).
German version:
C. Ich habe Mitarbeiter (die für mich arbeiten).
C. Have employees (working for you).
German version:
C. Ich habe Mitarbeiter (die für mich arbeiten).
Different Answer Format Tested:
Nein
Findings:
Online Probing:
When answering Item C, the majority of respondents in all three countries (between 56% and 65%) say they do not have employees working for them. Those who have employees working for them received a general probe and described the responsibilities of these employees as well as how many they employed, for example:
In the German pretest, a similar distribution can be seen as with item A. Of the five respondents who have employees working for them, four are self-employed in their main paid job. In contrast, of the six respondents who do not have employees, only two are mainly self-employed – and of these one is his parent’s caretaker (DE03).
In the Polish pretest, three respondents answered that they have employees. All of those are self-employed in their main paid job. Four respondents do not have employees, of which three are self-employed as their main paid job.
In both countries, all respondents give plausible answers, either explaining whom they have hired for their business, or explaining that they cannot afford to hire, and therefore do not have employees. The doctor (DE10) names her receptionists. One respondent explains that they are two founders, with three employees and several freelancers (DE09). One respondent differentiates that although he sometimes leads and trains colleagues, this does not make them his employees (DE01).
When answering Item C, the majority of respondents in all three countries (between 56% and 65%) say they do not have employees working for them. Those who have employees working for them received a general probe and described the responsibilities of these employees as well as how many they employed, for example:
- “Five employees. Two lawyers and three legal assistants.” (R319 DE)
- “Five employees. Two lawyers and three legal assistants.” (R319 DE)
In the German pretest, a similar distribution can be seen as with item A. Of the five respondents who have employees working for them, four are self-employed in their main paid job. In contrast, of the six respondents who do not have employees, only two are mainly self-employed – and of these one is his parent’s caretaker (DE03).
In the Polish pretest, three respondents answered that they have employees. All of those are self-employed in their main paid job. Four respondents do not have employees, of which three are self-employed as their main paid job.
In both countries, all respondents give plausible answers, either explaining whom they have hired for their business, or explaining that they cannot afford to hire, and therefore do not have employees. The doctor (DE10) names her receptionists. One respondent explains that they are two founders, with three employees and several freelancers (DE09). One respondent differentiates that although he sometimes leads and trains colleagues, this does not make them his employees (DE01).
Recommendations:
Remove brackets in question text.
Question tested:
false