The Association for Qualitative Research
The Hub of Qualitative Excellence

Leading question

A question asked by an interviewer or group moderator such that a certain response is marked in some way as preferred or as 'right'. So, 'do you think this design is modern?' would be leading, as opposed to the more open question 'how would you describe the style of this design?'. The researcher may ask leading questions unintentionally and unconsciously, but it constitutes bad interviewing and needs to be avoided in professional practice.