Block Total Response as an Alternative to the Randomized Response Method in Surveys

Summary The randomized response technique appears to have been an innovative and useful procedure for eliciting reliable responses from individuals on sensitive or embarrassing questions. In this paper a new and alternative method is proposed for the same problem. Through the use of supplemented block, (v, k, r, b. λ) balanced incomplete block, and spring balance weighing designs, the individual is required to give a total of the responses to k questions, sensitive or not. From these block totals it is possible to obtain estimated responses for each of the v questions used in the survey, yet not obtain individual response to single questions. Anonymity of response for a single interviewee is thus maintained. Estimators and their variances for the estimated responses are obtained. The method allows the surveyor to obtain answers to several sensitive questions without being unduly time-consuming.