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Indirect questioning methods for sensitive survey questions: Modelling criminal behaviours among a prison population
Beatriz Cobo1, Eva Castillo2,3, Francisca López-Torrecillas3,4
1Department of Statistics and Operational Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Plos One
|January 22, 2021
Summary
Estimating criminal behavior is challenging due to social desirability bias. Indirect questioning methods, like randomized response, are more effective than direct methods for collecting accurate self-reported criminal behavior data from prison inmates.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Psychology
- Survey Methodology
Background:
- Estimating criminal behavior prevalence is difficult due to respondent bias in standard surveys.
- Social desirability bias significantly impacts self-reported data validity, particularly for sensitive populations.
- The randomized response approach offers an alternative to traditional interview methods in criminal justice research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate social desirability bias in self-reported criminal behavior among prison inmates.
- To compare the effectiveness of direct and indirect questioning techniques in this population.
- To explore the association between self-reported criminal behavior and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 792 prison inmates.
- Utilized both direct and indirect response techniques (randomized response approach).
- Assessed self-reported participation in criminal acts (theft, drug use, violence, etc.) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Main Results:
- Self-reported criminal behavior in prison inmates is influenced by social desirability bias.
- Obsessive-compulsive symptom severity is significantly associated with the criminal behaviors reported.
- Traditional direct questioning methods were found to be inadequate for this population.
Conclusions:
- Indirect questioning techniques show great potential for improving criminal behavior research and policy.
- Social desirability bias remains a critical challenge in understanding criminal behavior through self-reports.
- Future research should leverage indirect methods to obtain more valid data on criminal behavior.
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