article

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

Authors:

Samuel S. K. Kwan,

Kar Yan TamAuthors Info & Claims

Information Systems Research, Volume 21, Issue 4

Pages 941 - 959

https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.1090.0271

Published: 01 December 2010 Publication History

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.

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Cited By

Yang ZWang J(2015)Differential effects of social influence sources on self-reported music piracyDecision Support Systems10.1016/j.dss.2014.11.00769:C(70-81)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2015
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.dss.2014.11.007
Chu AChau P(2014)Development and validation of instruments of information security deviant behaviorDecision Support Systems10.1016/j.dss.2014.06.00866:C(93-101)Online publication date: 1-Oct-2014
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.dss.2014.06.008

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cover image Information Systems Research

Information Systems Research Volume 21, Issue 4

December 2010

350 pages

ISSN:1526-5536

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INFORMS

Linthicum, MD, United States

Publication History

Published: 01 December 2010

Received: 15 November 2006

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Cited By

Yang ZWang J(2015)Differential effects of social influence sources on self-reported music piracyDecision Support Systems10.1016/j.dss.2014.11.00769:C(70-81)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2015
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.dss.2014.11.007
Chu AChau P(2014)Development and validation of instruments of information security deviant behaviorDecision Support Systems10.1016/j.dss.2014.06.00866:C(93-101)Online publication date: 1-Oct-2014
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.dss.2014.06.008

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