Editing Leading question (section)

{{Short description|Question that suggests a particular answer}}
{{Evidence law}}
A '''leading question''' is a question that suggests a particular answer and contains information the examiner is looking to have confirmed.<ref name="Melilli">{{cite journal |last1=Melilli |first1=Kenneth J. |title=Leading Questions on Direct Examination: A More Pragmatic Approach |journal=American Journal of Trial Advocacy |date=2003 |volume=27 |page=155}}</ref> The use of leading questions in [[court]] to elicit testimony is restricted in order to reduce the ability of the examiner to direct or influence the evidence presented. Depending on the circumstances, leading questions can be objectionable or proper.<ref name="ehrhardt">{{cite journal |last1=Ehrhardt |first1=Charles W. |last2=Young |first2=Stephanie J. |title=Using Leading Questions during Direct Examination |journal=Florida State University Law Journal |date=1995 |volume=23 |page=401}}</ref>

The propriety of leading questions generally depends on the relationship of the witness to the party conducting the examination. An examiner may generally ask leading questions of a [[hostile witness]] or on [[cross-examination]] ("Will help to elicit the testimony of a witness who, due to age, incapacity, or limited intelligence, is having difficulty communicating their evidence"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leading Questions |url=https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-procedure/leading-questions.html |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=Findlaw |language=en-US}}</ref>), but not on [[direct examination]] (to "coach" the witness to provide a particular answer).<ref name="ehrhardt" />

Cairns-Lee, Lawley & Tosey have reviewed the role of leading questions in research interviews and proposed a typology and a 'cleanness rating' to facilitate researchers to review and assess the influence of their interview questions.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cairns-Lee |first1=Heather |last2=Lawley |first2=James |last3=Tosey |first3=Paul |title=Enhancing researcher reflexivity about the influence of leading questions in interviews |journal=The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science |date=2022 |volume=58 |issue=1 |pages=164–188 |doi=10.1177/00218863211037446}}</ref>