Trust and understanding, two psychological aspects of randomized response - A study of a method for improving the estimate of social security fraud

This study examines two different Randomized Response methods to see whethe r they evoke sufficient understanding and trust, and ensure fewer evasive a nswers to socially sensitive questions. Two Randomized Response methods wer e employed by trained interviewers to study fraud: the Forced Response meth od, using dice, and Kuk's method, using playing cards. Respondents were sel ected from the files of the social security offices of three Dutch cities. A total of 334 respondents participated voluntarily in this study of two Ra ndomized Response methods. Most respondents were known to have committed so me form of fraud, and their answer on the Randomized Response question is v alidated with this information. The results indicate that subjects who have a better understanding of the Forced Response technique give more socially undesirable answers. The interviewer has a most important role establishin g trust and understanding. Respondents who are less able to understand the instructions, e.g., have limited language abilities, develop less trust in the method.