A new unrelated question randomized response model

In this paper, we extend the work of Gjestvang and Singh [A new randomized response model, J. R. Statist. Soc. Ser. B (Methodological) 68 (2006), pp. 523–530] to propose a new unrelated question randomized response model that can be used for any sampling scheme. The interesting thing is that the estimator based on one sample is free from the use of known proportion of an unrelated character, unlike Horvitz et al. [The unrelated question randomized response model, Social Statistics Section, Proceedings of the American Statistical Association, 1967, pp. 65–72], Greenberg et al. [The unrelated question randomized response model: Theoretical framework, J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 64 (1969), pp. 520–539] and Mangat et al. [An improved unrelated question randomized response strategy, Calcutta Statist. Assoc. Bull. 42 (1992), pp. 167–168] models. The relative efficiency of the proposed model with respect to the existing competitors has been studied.     

An improved randomized response model: estimation of mean

In this paper, we suggest a new randomized response model useful for collecting information on quantitative sensitive variables such as drug use and income. The resultant estimator has been found to be better than the usual additive randomized response model. An interesting feature of the proposed model is that it is free from the known parameters of the scrambling variable unlike the additive model due to Himmelfarb and Edgell [S. Himmelfarb and S.E. Edgell, Additive constant model: a randomized response technique for eliminating evasiveness to quantitative response questions, Psychol. Bull. 87(1980), 525–530]. Relative efficiency of the proposed model has also been studied with the corresponding competitors. At the end, an application of the proposed model has been discussed.     

A stratified unrelated question randomized response model

This paper presents a new randomized response model that combines Kim and Warde's (2004) stratified Warner's randomized response technique using optimal allocation with the unrelated question randomized response model. The empirical studies performed show that, for the prior information given, the new model is more efficient in terms of variance (in the case of completely truthful reporting) and mean square error (in the case of less than completely truthful reporting) than its component models.     

Efficient estimation of population mean of sensitive variable in presence of scrambled responses

This paper addresses the problem of estimating the population mean of a sensitive variable in presence of scrambled response. We have suggested a randomized response model which uses known values of mean and variance of scrambling variable. We have shown that the proposed randomized response model is always better than that of Gjestvang and Singh's (2009) and Singh and Tarray's (2014) randomized response models. A numerical study for efficiency comparison is also presented.     

Analyzing continuous randomized response data with an indifference-zone selection procedure

A review of the randomized response model introduced by Warner (1965) is given, then a randomized response model applicable to continuous data that considers a mixture of two normal distributions is considered. The target here is not to estimate any parameter, but rather to select the population with the best parameter value. This article provides a study on how to choose the best population between k distinct populations using an indifference-zone procedure. Also, this article includes tables for the required sample size needed in order to have a probability of correct selection higher than some specified value in the preference zone for the randomized response model considered.     

Generalizations of a contamination model for continuous type random variables

In 1965, Stanley Warner (Warner, 1965) introduced a model for contaminating discrete type random variables. He presented this scheme as being potentially useful in survevs where sensitive in-formation is being gathered. Since that time much research has been conducted and many papers written on the development of these discrete type randomized response models. More recently, atten-tion has been focused on the application of randomized response type models for preservation of confidentiality in existing data files (Boruch 1971 and 1972, Ranney 1975, Felligi 1974, and Inge-marsson 1975). In 1974, Poole (Poole, 1974) introduced a randomized response model for a positive continuous type random variable which was basically a continuous variable analog of the discrete variable Warner model. In this paper the results of the 1974 paper are extended to a lt-dimensional continuous type random variable in k-dimensional Euclidean space.     

Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in a stratified sample using Poisson distribution

This study proposes the estimators for the mean and its variance of the number of respondents who possessed a rare sensitive attribute based on stratified sampling schemes (stratified sampling and stratified double sampling). This study deals with the extension of the estimation reported in Land et al. [Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute using Poisson distribution, Statistics (2011), in press. DOI: 10.1080/02331888.2010.524300] using a Poisson distribution and an unrelated question randomized response model reported in Greenberg et al. [The unrelated question randomized response model: Theoretical framework, J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 64 (1969), 520–539]. In the stratified sampling, the estimators are proposed when the parameter of the rare unrelated attribute is known and unknown. The variances of estimators using a proportional and optimum allocation are also suggested. The proposed estimators are evaluated using a relative efficiency comparing variances of the estimators reported in Land et al. depending on the parameters and the probability of selecting a question. We showed that our proposed methods have better efficiencies than Land et al.’s randomized response model in some conditions. When the sizes of stratified populations are not given, other estimators are suggested using a stratified double sampling. For the proportional allocation, the difference between two variances in the stratified sampling and the stratified double sampling is given with the known rare unrelated attribute.     

ACCOUNTING FOR NON-COMPLIANCE IN THE ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED RESPONSE DATA

The randomized response model is a misclassification design that is used to protect the privacy of respondents with respect to sensitive questions. Conditional misclassification probabilities are specified by the researcher and are therefore considered to be known. It is to be expected that some of the respondents do not comply with respect to the misclassification design. These respondents induce extra perturbation, which is not accounted for in the standard randomized response model. An extension of the randomized response model is presented that takes into account assumptions with respect to non-compliance under simple random sampling. The extended model is investigated using Bayesian inference. The research is motivated by randomized response data concerning violations of regulations for social benefit.     

A stratified Warner''s randomized response model

This paper proposes a new stratified randomized response model based on Warner's (J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 60 (1965) 63) model that has an optimal allocation and large gain in precision. It also presents a drawback of the Hong et al. (Korean J. Appl. Statist. 7 (1994) 141) model under their proportional sampling assumption. It is shown that the proposed model is more efficient than the Hong et al. (Korean J. Appl. Statist. 7 (1994) 141) stratified randomized response model. Additionally, it is shown that the estimator based on the proposed method is more efficient than the Warner (J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 60 (1965) 63), the Mangat and Singh (Biometrika 77 (1990) 439) and the Mangat (J. Roy. Statist. SQC. Ser. B 56 (1) (1994) 93) estimators under the conditions presented in both the case of completely truthful reporting and that of not completely truthful reporting by the respondents.     

Analyzing Hybrid Randomized Response Data with a Binomial Selection Procedure

The operating characteristics (OCs) of an indifference-zone ranking and selection procedure are derived for randomized response binomial data. The OCs include tables and figures to facilitate tradeoffs between sample size and a stated probability of a correct selection, i.e., correctly identifying the binomial population (out of k ≥ 2) characterized by the largest probability of success. Measures of efficiency are provided to assist the analyst in selection of an appropriate randomized response design for the collection of the data. A hybrid randomized response model, which includes the Warner model and the Greenberg et al. model, is introduced to facilitate comparisons among a wider range of statistical designs than previously available. An example comparing failure rates of contraceptive methods is used to illustrate the use of these new results.     

Estimating the prevalence of sensitive behaviour and cheating with a dual design for direct questioning and randomized response

Randomized response is a misclassification design to estimate the prevalence of sensitive behaviour. Respondents who do not follow the instructions of the design are considered to be cheating. A mixture model is proposed to estimate the prevalence of sensitive behaviour and cheating in the case of a dual sampling scheme with direct questioning and randomized response. The mixing weight is the probability of cheating, where cheating is modelled separately for direct questioning and randomized response. For Bayesian inference, Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling is applied to sample parameter values from the posterior. The model makes it possible to analyse dual sample scheme data in a unified way and to assess cheating for direct questions as well as for randomized response questions. The research is illustrated with randomized response data concerning violations of regulations for social benefit.     

Mean and sensitivity estimation in optional randomized response models

Optional randomized response models were introduced by Gupta et al. (2002). These models are based on the basic premise that a question may be sensitive for one respondent but may not be sensitive for another. In an optional RRT (randomized response technique) model, a respondent is asked to provide a scrambled response only if the respondent considers the question sensitive. Otherwise, the respondent provides a truthful response. The researcher does not know which type of response is provided. The proportion of respondents who provide a scrambled response is known as the sensitivity level of the question. In this paper, we estimate simultaneously the mean and the sensitivity level of a quantitative-response sensitive question using a two stage optional RRT model. The estimators are unbiased and asymptotically normally distributed. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using additive and multiplicative scrambling.     

Randomized response model in a matched pair study

The development of randomized response models for personal interview surveys has attracted much attention since the pioneering work of Warner [1965. Randomized response: a survey technique for eliminating evasive answer bias. J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 60, 63–69]. Several randomized response models have been developed by researchers for collecting data on both qualitative and the quantitative variables, but none of these models discuss matched pair data. In this paper, we develop a new randomized response model and study its application to an important political question.     

On using non identical and independent Bernoulli trials in human surveys

Unlike the usual randomized response techniques, as a pioneering attempt, this article focuses on using non identical independent Bernoulli trials in sensitive surveys. For this purpose, a general class of randomized response techniques is considered. The usual randomized response techniques are based on a fixed probability of having a yes answer. Contrary to usual techniques, in the proposed technique every respondent has a different probability of reporting a yes answer. With this setting, in most of the situations, the proposed technique is observed performing better in terms of variability. To illustrate and support the superiority of the proposed technique it is compared with models such as Warner (1965), Greenberg et al. (1969), Mangat and Singh (1990), and Mangat (1994) using identical Bernoulli trials. Relative efficiency and privacy protection are studied in detail using Warner (1965) and Mangat (1994) models.     

Estimation of sensitivity level of personal interview survey questions

In this paper, an optional randomized response model is proposed. The estimator of the mean of the stigmatized variable based on the optional randomized response sampling is shown to be more efficient than the usual estimator of the mean based on randomized response technique method. In addition to estimating population mean and variance, it has been shown that the optional randomized response technique is useful in quantifying the sensitivity levels of the questions in the personal interview surveys. An estimator for the sensitivity level of a question is proposed and an empirical study is carried out to show the validity of the proposed estimation technique. We also propose a test for the sensitivity level of the stigmatized variable.     

A modified two-stage randomized response model for estimating the proportion of stigmatized attribute

The survey related to stigmatized characteristics leads to the non-response problem if it is conducted according to classical (direct) methods, especially, developed for non-sensitive issues; therefore, it needs to be applied appropriate survey methodology to get a reliable response from respondents in incriminating issues. Randomized response model is one of the most recent methods which is attracting the attention of survey practitioners to deal with the problems of non-response because it protects the privacy of individuals in order to acquire the truthful response. The present work proposes a new two-stage randomized response model to get rid of misleading response or non-response due to the stigmatized nature of attribute under the study. The proposed randomized response model results in the unbiased estimator of population proportion possessing the sensitive attribute. The properties of the resultant estimator have been studied and empirical comparisons are performed to show its dominance over existing estimators. Suitable recommendations have been put forward to the survey practitioners.     

Utilization of higher order moments of scrambling variables in randomized response sampling

In this paper, a new estimator for estimating the proportion of a potentially sensitive attribute in survey sampling has been introduced. The proposed estimator makes use of higher order moments of the scrambling variable at the estimation stage. The proposed estimator has been found to be more efficient than the estimator due to Kuk [1990. Asking sensitive questions indirectly. Biomerika 77(2), 436–438] and Franklin [1989. A comparison of estimators for randomized response sampling with continuous distributions from a dichotomous population. Comm. Statist. Theory Methods 18, 489–505] type estimators in randomized response sampling. Recently, Guerriero and Sandri [2007. A note on the comparison of some randomized response procedures. J. Statist. Plann. Inference 137, 2184–2190] have shown that the family of randomized response models proposed by Kuk [1990. Asking sensitive questions indirectly. Biomerika 77(2), 436–438] is better than the Simmons’ family in terms of efficiency and protection.     

Logistic regression analysis of non‐randomized response data collected by the parallel model in sensitive surveys

To study the relationship between a sensitive binary response variable and a set of non‐sensitive covariates, this paper develops a hidden logistic regression to analyse non‐randomized response data collected via the parallel model originally proposed by Tian (2014). This is the first paper to employ the logistic regression analysis in the field of non‐randomized response techniques. Both the Newton–Raphson algorithm and a monotone quadratic lower bound algorithm are developed to derive the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters of interest. In particular, the proposed logistic parallel model can be used to study the association between a sensitive binary variable and another non‐sensitive binary variable via the measure of odds ratio. Simulations are performed and a study on people's sexual practice data in the United States is used to illustrate the proposed methods.     

An adept-stratified Kuk's randomized response model using Neyman allocation

This paper suggests a new stratified randomized response model based on Kuk's [Biometrika (1990), 77, 2, pp.436–438] model that has Neyman allocation and considerable gain in precision. It has been identified that the stratified randomized response models due to Kim and Warde (2004 Kim, J., Warde, W. (2004). A stratified Warner randomized response model. J. Stat. Plan. Inference 120:155–165.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), Kim and Elam's (2005), and Kim and Elam's (2007) are members of the proposed model. It is shown that the proposed model is more efficient than Kuk's (1990) model both theoretically and empirically. The results of this paper are also extended in the situation when trials are repeated.     

基于随机化回答模型的最低工资敏感性问题研究

针对最低工资调查中出现的敏感性问题,引入随机化回答技术,并针对定性和定量两类敏感性问题,分别引入不同的随机化回答模型。同时还考虑到最低工资调查中,不同调查单位对同一问题敏感程度不相同的特性,在定量问题的随机化回答模型中引入敏感性水平,对原有模型进行有效的改进,使被调查者能够更加积极配合最低工资调查,从而能够进一步减少由于各类敏感性问题造成的非抽样误差。这套随机化处理方法还可推广应用到其他类型的敏感性问题中。