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Research Note ---Applying the Randomized Response Technique to Elicit Truthful Responses to Sensitive Questions in IS Research: The Case of Software Piracy Behavior

Author

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  • Samuel S. K. Kwan

    (Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong)

  • Mike K. P. So

    (Department of Information and Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong)

  • Kar Yan Tam

    (Department of Information and Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong)

Abstract

Research on software piracy often relies on self-reports by individual users and thus suffers from possible response distortion attributable to a variety of human motivations. Conclusions drawn directly from distorted self-reports may misguide managerial and policy decisions. The randomized response technique (RRT) was proposed as a remedy to response distortion. In this paper, a model based on RRT was used to illustrate how truthful responses to sensitive questions can be empirically estimated. The model was tested in two empirical studies on software piracy. Consistent with our expectations, respondents responding to RRT were more willing to disclose sensitive information about their attitudes, intentions, and behaviors on software piracy. Nontrivial distortions were demonstrated in causal relationships involving sensitive and nonsensitive variables. The study extends RRT to multivariate analysis and illustrates the feasibility and usefulness of the method in studying sensitive behavioral issues in the information systems (IS) domain.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel S. K. Kwan & Mike K. P. So & Kar Yan Tam, 2010. "Research Note ---Applying the Randomized Response Technique to Elicit Truthful Responses to Sensitive Questions in IS Research: The Case of Software Piracy Behavior," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 21(4), pages 941-959, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:21:y:2010:i:4:p:941-959
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.1090.0271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. James Steiger & Alexander Shapiro & Michael Browne, 1985. "On the multivariate asymptotic distribution of sequential Chi-square statistics," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 50(3), pages 253-263, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marco Gregori & Martijn G. Jong & Rik Pieters, 2024. "The Crosswise Model for Surveys on Sensitive Topics: A General Framework for Item Selection and Statistical Analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 89(3), pages 1007-1033, September.
    2. Andy C. Y. Chong & Amanda M. Y. Chu & Mike K. P. So & Ray S. W. Chung, 2019. "Asking Sensitive Questions Using the Randomized Response Approach in Public Health Research: An Empirical Study on the Factors of Illegal Waste Disposal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Amanda M. Y. Chu & Mike K. P. So & Ray S. W. Chung, 2018. "Applying the Randomized Response Technique in Business Ethics Research: The Misuse of Information Systems Resources in the Workplace," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 151(1), pages 195-212, August.
    4. Chu, Amanda M.Y. & Omori, Yasuhiro & So, Hing-yu & So, Mike K.P., 2023. "A Multivariate Randomized Response Model for Sensitive Binary Data," Econometrics and Statistics, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 16-35.

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