Title:      Survey Context Effects in Anchoring Vignettes

Authors:    Jack Buckley

Entrydate:  2008-08-22 15:13:11

Keywords:   anchoring vignettes, survey research, differential
item functioning, experiment

Abstract:   Methodologists (King et al. 2004; King and Wand
2007) have recently proposed a novel approach to adjusting for
bias in interpersonal and cross- cultural comparisons in survey
research. The method centers on the use of anchoring vignettes
to allow the statistical correction of differential usage of
ordinal response scales at the individual or group level. Using
data from a randomized survey experiment I investigate whether
analyses based on these vignettes may be vulnerable to the
introduction of survey artifacts due to vignette ordering or the
placement of the self-assessment item relative to the vignettes.
I find several patterns of bias due to context effects.
Researchers using anchoring vignettes should consider
randomization or other methods to mitigate these problems. 

http://polmeth.wustl.edu/retrieve.php?id=822

**********************************************************
             Political Methodology E-Mail List
   Editors: Melanie Goodrich, <[log in to unmask]>
            Delia Bailey, <[log in to unmask]>
**********************************************************
        Send messages to [log in to unmask]
  To join the list, cancel your subscription, or modify
           your subscription settings visit:

          http://polmeth.wustl.edu/polmeth.php

**********************************************************