SENSITIVE DATA-COLLECTION THROUGH THE RANDOM RESPONSE TECHNIQUE - SOME IMPROVEMENTS

Doubts concerning the validity of questionnaire data have been raised recently. Sensitive data collected via questionnaire are of even more doubtful validity, and unobtrusive ways to gather information have been suggested in the literature. Nevertheless questionnaires appear necessary when the nature of the data is either private or cognitive. The random response technique which recently received renewed attention may be a solution to this problem. Fidler and Kleinknecht’s important paper on this technique is discussed here, and criticisms concerning cost of the random device, areas of investigation, and place of interview are formulated. Such improvements as the utilization of a die as the random device and having people interviewed in public places by male and female interviewers were implemented in a study conducted at Laval University. Data from 405 male and female students on a variety of sensitive matters are presented. Suggestions are made for a better utilization of the technique, and interpretations of the data collected are discussed. © 1979 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.