Randomized Response Versus Direct Questioning [microform] : Two Methods for Asking Sensitive Questions Over the Telephone / Arlene N. Weissman.
A pilot study to ascertain the most cost-efficient and statistically reliable way of obtaining data on drug use by means of the telephone was conducted. Typically, surveys of sensitive or stigmatizing information have been contaminated by an unknown amount of error due to evasive or incorrect respon...
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| Format: | Microfilm Book |
| Language: | English |
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Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse,
1981.
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| Summary: | A pilot study to ascertain the most cost-efficient and statistically reliable way of obtaining data on drug use by means of the telephone was conducted. Typically, surveys of sensitive or stigmatizing information have been contaminated by an unknown amount of error due to evasive or incorrect responses. The randomized response technique, which reduces bias by providing privacy or confidentiality for respondents, is described. Data is presented comparing the randomized response technique and direct questioning as ways of asking the survey items and obtaining valid results. For this pilot study, 203 households in the five boroughs of New York City were interviewed. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in the rates of cocaine, PCP, LSD, and heroin use described by the 88 persons that were questioned directly and 60 that used the randomized response technique. Results of chi-square tests conducted among the background characteristics of the respondents indicated that younger single persons who have used drugs may be more predisposed to the randomized response technique. (Author/RL) |
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| Item Description: | Sponsoring Agency: New York State Div. of Substance Abuse Services, New York, NY. ERIC Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (65th, Los Angeles, CA, April 13-17, 1981). ERIC Document Number: ED202912. |
| Physical Description: | 19 pages |
| Reproduction Note: | Microfiche. |
| Action Note: | committed to retain |