Myself and g/f have developed a questionnaire designed to measure a Health Psychology Theory we have devised.

However, we have one question that we cannot understand the answers we get back.

Here is the question: (please tick)

Highest Educational Level:

No Qualifications
GCSE/A-Level
Undergraduate (e.g. degree)
Postgraduate (e.g. masters, PhD)
Other

Which answer do you think we should get back as the most common? Maybe No Qual or GCSE? But the most common by far is Postgrad (41%) ! Now the demographic is breast cancer patients, so all so far have been female. They are also often over 50. Both these factors would give a lower showing of Postgrad in itself.

If we say that 2 or 3 people in a hundred are post grade, why are we getting 41%? Is the question unclear? Are people lying? Why are they lying on that scale? If they are lying why are they claiming postgrad rather than under?

Any ideas here because this doesn't make sense? Have you designed a questionnaire where you have found a similar problem?

Iirc, a major breast cancer risk factor is delaying child bearing till later in life.