Randomized Response: A Data-Gathering Device for Sensitive Questions

Summary The primary purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of a data-gathering device which was first introduced exactly ten years ago by Stanley L. Warner. This technique, known as randomized response, provides the researcher with an opportunity to reduce, if not eliminate, the response biases which usually occur when respondents in human population surveys are questioned about highly personal matters. Cooperation and honest answers to sensitive questions are expected with the randomized response technique since it does, in fact, protect the privacy of the respondent. In this paper the range and scope of the technique will be illustrated by discussing the highlights of various measurement designs that have been proposed. Finally, some applications will be presented.