Cited by 422Survey Methodology and NonresponseSurvey Sampling and Estimation TechniquesMobile Crowdsensing and Crowdsourcing

Disclosure of sensitive behaviors across self-administered survey modes: a meta-analysis

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Gnambs, Timo, Kaspar, Kai·2015·Behavior Research Methods

Abstract

In surveys, individuals tend to misreport behaviors that are in contrast to prevalent social norms or regulations. Several design features of the survey procedure have been suggested to counteract this problem; particularly, computerized surveys are supposed to elicit more truthful responding. This assumption was tested in a meta-analysis of survey experiments reporting 460 effect sizes (total N =125,672). Self-reported prevalence rates of several sensitive behaviors for which motivated misreporting has been frequently observed were compared across self-administered paper-and-pencil versus computerized surveys. The results revealed that computerized surveys led to significantly more reporting of socially undesirable behaviors than comparable surveys administered on paper. This effect was strongest for highly sensitive behaviors and surveys administered individually to respondents. Moderator analyses did not identify interviewer effects or benefits of audio-enhanced computer surveys. The meta-analysis highlighted the advantages of computerized survey modes for the assessment of sensitive topics.

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  • Individuals may be more willing to disclose sensitive information, such as accounts of drug use or self-harm, when they can do so remotely without face-to-face contact with the researcher.

    “Individuals may also be more willing to disclose sensitive information, such as accounts of drug use or self-harm, when they can do so remotely without face-to-face contact with the researcher (22).”
  • In an anonymous online setting, prominent treatment barriers related to personal contact interfere less with participation, so housebound BDD sufferers are not required to leave the house and reporting sensitive symptoms associated with shame is facilitated.

    “In an anonymous online setting, prominent treatment barriers related to personal contact interfere less with participation, e.g. housebound BDD sufferers are not required to leave the house and reporting sensitive symptoms associated with shame is facilitated [24].”

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  1. Beatty, P., & Herrmann, D. (2002). To answer or not to answer: Decision processes related to survey item nonresponse. In R. M. Groves, D. A. Dillman, J. L. Eltinge, & R. J. A. Little (Eds.), Survey Nonresponse (pp. 71-86). New York, NY: Wiley.
  2. Chromy, J., Davis, T., Packer, L., & Gfroerer, J. (2002). Mode effects on substance use measures: Comparison of 1999 CAI and PAPI data. In J. Gfroerer, J. Eyerman, & J. Chromy (Eds.), Redesigning an ongo- ing national household survey: Methodological Issues (pp. 135- 160). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
  3. In L. F. Hornke, M. Amelang, & M. Kersting (Eds.), Verfahren zur Leistungs-, Intelligenz-und Verhaltensdiagnostik, Enzyklopädie der Psychologie, Psychologische Diagnostik (Vol. II/3, pp. 448-498). Göttingen, Germany: Hogrefe.
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Authors
Gnambs, T., & Kaspar, K.
Affiliations
  • Osnabrück University (DE)
  • University of Cologne (DE)
Corresponding author
Gnambs, Timo
Venue
Behavior Research Methods
Published
2014-11-20
Volume
47
Issue
4
Pages
1237-1259
ISSN
  • 1554-351X (ISSN-L)
  • 1554-3528
OpenAlex
W1969579869
Cited by
422
References
159
Citations by year
2026: 47 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 62 · 2021: 46 · 2020: 53 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 1
FWCI
4.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Behavior Research Methods (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Kölner Universitäts PublikationsServer (Universität zu Köln) (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA-01411, R01DA001411)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Survey Methodology and Nonresponse
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Survey Sampling and Estimation Techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Science Applications › Mobile Crowdsensing and Crowdsourcing
Keywords
sensitive behavior, paper-and-pencil surveys, survey mode effects, self-reported prevalence
MeSH terms
Acoustic Stimulation, Computers, Humans, Motivation, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Behavior, Reproducibility of Results, Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic, Disclosure

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