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Log-Linear Randomized-Response Models Taking Self-Protective Response Behavior Into Account

Utrecht University, Netherlands, m.cruyff{at}uu.nl

Ardo van den Hout

MRC Biostatistic Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Peter G. M. van der Heijden

Utrecht University, Netherlands

Ulf Böckenholt

McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Randomized response (RR) is an interview technique designed to eliminate response bias when sensitive questions are asked. In RR the answer depends partly on the true status of the respondent and partly on the outcome of a randomizing device. Although RR elicits more honest answers than direct questions do, it is susceptible to self-protective response behavior; that is, the respondent gives an evasive answer irrespective of the outcome of the randomizing device. The authors present a log-linear RR model that accounts for this kind of self-protection (SP). The main results of this SP model are estimates of (1) the probability of SP, (2) the log-linear parameters describing the associations between the sensitive characteristics, and (3) the prevalence of the sensitive characteristics that are corrected for SP. The model is illustrated with two examples from a Dutch survey measuring noncompliance with social welfare rules.

Key Words: randomized response • log-linear model • self-protective response behavior • regulatory noncompliance

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Sociological Methods & Research, Vol. 36, No. 2, 266-282 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0049124107301944


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Cruyff, M. J. L. F. Articles by Böckenholt, U. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?