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Multi-Item Scale:

Would you agree or disagree if, as part of a climate-friendly energy policy in your area,...<br><i>[Würden Sie zustimmen oder nicht zustimmen, wenn im Zuge einer klimafreundlichen Energiepolitik in ihrer Umgebung...]</i>

Item Text:

b. ...a high-voltage line was to be laid underground? [...eine Hochspannungsleitung in der Erde verlegt werden soll?]

Different Answer Format Tested:

Nein

Findings:

A negative attitude toward the laying of high-voltage lines underground (item b) was mostly justified by doubts about their safety, that they were less efficient than above-ground lines and not sustainable, or that the necessary construction measures were rejected. Respondents who were in favor of the infrastructure measures justified this by saying that undergrounding would be practical, safe, and not visually disruptive:
  • "I don't know if it's safe." (TP231, response: rather disagree).
  • "Undergrounding is significantly more expensive, reduces efficiency, and probably takes long-er." (TP345, response: rather disagree)
  • "Offers many advantages (e.g., safe from storms, better for the environment, nicer)." (TP294, response: strongly agree).
  • "Is necessary for the future and underground it does not disturb the view in nature." (TP382, Answer: strongly agree).
Even though the proportion of subjects who selected the middle category for item b was comparatively large, their responses to the probe did not indicate comprehension problems, but rather corresponded to "medium" agreement, that is, the measure was neither unambiguously rejected nor endorsed:
  • "I am in favor if it is reasonable and well isolated and if the excavations do not use too much area. It is important that the original condition is restored if possible or well compensated by power companies." (TP384, response: neither agree nor disagree)
  • "I think repair work is costly, roads need to be opened, etc." (TP392, response: neither agree nor disagree)

Recommendations:

The results of the pretest do not indicate any problems with the item, so it can be left in its current form.

Question tested:

true