Give respondents a clear, low-pressure way to say they cannot answer: let them skip, offer a distinct “I don’t know” choice, or—in an interactive form—politely follow up after a skip. The right option depends on what the question asks and why the person may not know; no single approach fits every form, survey, or interview.
Choose a response path that does not force a guess
When a form asks for information a person may not have, make it possible to continue without inventing an answer. Three common choices are to allow a blank response, show an explicit “I don’t know” option, or use a follow-up prompt when someone skips.
- Allow a skip: Useful when the person may lack the information or prefer not to answer. A blank alone does not tell you which reason applies.
- Offer “I don’t know” separately: This records an explicit inability to answer, but it should not be treated as proof of why the person lacks an answer.
- Follow up on a skip: An interactive form can ask whether the person wants to answer, while making it easy to proceed without pressure.
In an experiment summarized by Edith D. de Leeuw, Joop Hox, and Anja J. Boevé, allowing respondents to skip and then using a polite probe when they skipped resulted in the lowest amount of missing information among the approaches described. That is a finding from the studied conditions, not a guarantee for every topic or audience. Read the article record for “Handling Do-Not-Know Answers”.
Do not treat every “I don’t know” the same
A person may genuinely lack the information, find the question difficult to recall or reason through, or use a response strategy that takes less effort. Krosnick’s account of survey response strategies describes “don’t know” and random selection among offered responses as possible ways to cope when an optimal answer takes substantial effort. So a “don’t know” response is not, by itself, evidence of either ignorance or carelessness.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Question wording and respondent experience can matter, too. In a split-ballot telephone survey experiment involving 398 respondents, Leigh and Martin reported that question form and content, along with respondent experience or involvement, affected “don’t know” item nonresponse. The finding concerns that telephone-survey setting; it does not establish the same effects for every digital form. See the article record for their study.
Make the choice fit the question
Before choosing a response design, consider what kind of answer the question requires. A question about a fact the respondent may not know differs from one that asks for sensitive information or detailed recall. A blank response can leave those reasons indistinguishable; an explicit option can record the person’s stated inability to answer but cannot explain its cause on its own.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- If a question requires substantial recall or reasoning, avoid making a guess appear mandatory.
- If distinguishing an inability to answer from a skipped or withheld response matters, provide separate, clearly labeled paths where practical.
- If a follow-up is appropriate, keep it polite and make declining or moving on straightforward.
- Review the wording and the respondent’s experience with the subject before interpreting missing answers.
A 1988 review of “don’t know” responses in surveys discusses consequences for survey design, analysis, and interpretation, including the need to consider topic when interpreting responses. See the review’s article record.
What child interviews suggest—and what they do not
Research with 6- and 8-year-old children points to the value of explaining that “I don’t know” is an acceptable answer in an interview. In Waterman and Blades’ study, pre-interview instructions increased younger children’s appropriate “don’t know” responses to unanswerable questions without reducing their correct answers to answerable questions. An opportunity to give a narrative account also increased appropriate “don’t know” responses to unanswerable yes/no questions.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
These results concern the studied children and interview tasks, not adult survey forms generally. They suggest that instructions and the way a question is posed can influence whether a child says they cannot answer. Read the study record.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Interpreting missing answers
For a person filling out a form, the practical rule is simple: do not guess when you do not know, and use the skip or “I don’t know” option if the form provides one. For the person designing a form, record only what the response actually establishes. A blank is a missing answer; an “I don’t know” selection is a stated inability to answer. Neither alone reveals whether the cause was lack of knowledge, question difficulty, reluctance, or another factor.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
