Asking Sensitive Questions Using the Crosswise Model: An Experimental Survey Measuring Plagiarism

Abstract

Yu, Tian, and Tang (2008) proposed two new techniques for asking questions on sensitive topics in population surveys: the triangular model (TM) and the crosswise model (CM). The two models can be used as alternatives to the well-known randomized response technique (RRT) and are meant to overcome some of the drawbacks of the RRT. Although Yu, Tian, and Tang provide a promising theoretical analysis of the proposed models, they did not test them. We therefore provide results from an experimental survey in which the crosswise model was implemented and compared to direct questioning. To our knowledge, this is the first empirical evaluation of the crosswise model. We focused on the crosswise model because it seems better suited than the triangular model to overcome the self-protective ''no'' bias observed for the RRT. This paper-and-pencil survey on plagiarism was administered to Swiss and German students in university classrooms. Results suggest that the CM is a promising data-collection instrument eliciting more socially undesirable answers than direct questioning.

E-research – selected issues concerning the Internet attitudes and opinions research

“…Gingerich et al (2014) used the crosswise design to develop a joint model that combines indirect and direct questioning within the same survey to determine whether a topic is sufficiently sensitive to justify indirect questioning. Other works that study these designs include ), Jann, Jerke, and Krumpal (2011), Höglinger, Jann, and Diekmann (2014, and Korndörfer, Krumpal, and Schmukle (2014).…”

Applying 'Benford's Law' to the Crosswise Model: Findings from an Online Survey on Tax Evasion

“…Yet, it is still possible to estimate the share of respondents for whom the sensitive question applied. However, a central drawback of the RRT is that it still leaves the respondents the opportunity to choose a self-protective strategy by ignoring the RRT mechanism and simply answering "no" in any case (Jann et al, 2012).…”

“…CM seems better suited to study sensitive topics compared to RRT because it is designed such that a "no"-bias is ruled out (Jann et al, 2012). The only option not to reveal sensitive information is to refuse answering, but this option also applies for other questioning techniques (Kundt et al, 2013).…”

Bayesian randomized item response modeling for sensitive measurements

“…In the crosswise model, different sets of non-sensitive subgroups are defined, namely {U = 0, W = 0} ∪ {U = 1, W = 1} and {U = 0, W = 1} ∪ {U = 1, W = 0}. The probability of respondent i scoring in subgroup one equals Jann et al (2012) implemented and evaluated this technique, and compared the performance to the direct questioning method. They applied the crosswise model to measure the prevalence of plagiarism in student papers.…”

“…The methods were developed in the late 70's (Takahasi & Sakasegawa, 1977) and have received increased attention in the past five years. Related developments are the hidden sensitivity method (Tang, Tian, Tang, & Liu, 2009;Tian et al, 2007), the triangular method (Tan, Tian, & Tang, 2009;Tian, Tang, Liu, Tan, & Tang, 2011;Yu, Tian, & Tang, 2008), the crosswise method (Jann, Jerke, & Krumpal, 2012;Yu et al, 2008), the method of single sample count (Petróczi et al, 2011), and the unmatched count technique (Coutts & Jann, 2011). The techniques are usually claimed to be free from the limitations of the randomized approach and to increase the relative efficiency and the degree of privacy protection.…”