IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/qualqt/v47y2013i1p193-211.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Response style behavior: question format dependent or personal style?

Author

Listed:
  • Natalia Kieruj
  • Guy Moors

Abstract

In survey research, acquiescence response style/set (ARS) and extreme response style/set (ERS) may distort the measurement of attitudes. How response bias is evoked is still subject of research. A key question is whether it may be evoked by external factors (e.g. test conditions or fatigue) or whether it could be the result of internal factors (e.g. personality or social characteristics). In the first part of this study we explore whether scale length—the manipulated test condition—influences the occurrence of ERS and/or ARS, by varying scale length from 5 till 11 categories. In pursuit of this we apply a latent class factor model that allows for diagnosing and correcting for ERS and ARS simultaneously. Results show that ERS occurs regardless of scale length. Furthermore, we find only weak evidence of ARS. In a second step we check whether ERS might reflect an internal personal style by (a) linking it to external measures of ERS, and by (b) correlating it with a personality profile and socio-demographic characteristics. Results show that ERS is reasonably stable over questionnaires and that it is associated with the selected personality profile and age. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Natalia Kieruj & Guy Moors, 2013. "Response style behavior: question format dependent or personal style?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 193-211, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:47:y:2013:i:1:p:193-211
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-011-9511-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1007/s11135-011-9511-4
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11135-011-9511-4?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Diamantopoulos, A. & Reynolds, N.L. & Simintiras, A.C., 2006. "The impact of response styles on the stability of cross-national comparisons," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 59(8), pages 925-935, August.
    2. van Rosmalen, J.M. & van Herk, H. & Groenen, P.J.F., 2007. "Identifying Unknown Response Styles: A Latent-Class Bilinear Multinomial Logit Model," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2007-045-MKT, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    3. Guy Moors, 2003. "Diagnosing Response Style Behavior by Means of a Latent-Class Factor Approach. Socio-Demographic Correlates of Gender Role Attitudes and Perceptions of Ethnic Discrimination Reexamined," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 277-302, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Katarzyna Kinga Kowalczyk & Agnieszka Mulak & Grzegorz Krol, 2016. "Extreme Response Style in Correlational Research (Extreme Response Style (Skrajny Styl Odpowiadania) w badaniach korelacyjnych)," Problemy Zarzadzania, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 14(60), pages 61-82.
    2. Yingbin Zhang & Zhaoxi Yang & Yehui Wang, 2022. "The Impact of Extreme Response Style on the Mean Comparison of Two Independent Samples," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, June.
    3. Alice Barth & Andreas Schmitz, 2018. "Response quality and ideological dispositions: an integrative approach using geometric and classifying techniques," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 175-194, January.
    4. Jennifer Oser & Marc Hooghe & Zsuzsa Bakk & Roberto Mari, 2023. "Changing citizenship norms among adolescents, 1999-2009-2016: A two-step latent class approach with measurement equivalence testing," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(5), pages 4915-4933, October.
    5. Elke Cabooter & Bert Weijters & Alain Beuckelaer & Eldad Davidov, 2017. "Is extreme response style domain specific? Findings from two studies in four countries," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(6), pages 2605-2622, November.
    6. Jäckle, Annette & Johannes, Eggs, 2014. "Dependent interviewing and sub-optimal responding," ISER Working Paper Series 2014-32, Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    7. Liu Mingnan & Keusch Florian, 2017. "Effects of Scale Direction on Response Style of Ordinal Rating Scales," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 33(1), pages 137-154, March.
    8. Pengsheng Ni & Molly Marino & Emily Dore & Lily Sonis & Colleen M Ryan & Jeffrey C Schneider & Alan M Jette & Lewis E Kazis, 2019. "Extreme response style bias in burn survivors," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-13, May.
    9. Mingnan Liu & Frederick G. Conrad & Sunghee Lee, 2017. "Comparing acquiescent and extreme response styles in face-to-face and web surveys," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(2), pages 941-958, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jennifer Oser & Marc Hooghe & Zsuzsa Bakk & Roberto Mari, 2023. "Changing citizenship norms among adolescents, 1999-2009-2016: A two-step latent class approach with measurement equivalence testing," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(5), pages 4915-4933, October.
    2. Elke Cabooter & Bert Weijters & Alain Beuckelaer & Eldad Davidov, 2017. "Is extreme response style domain specific? Findings from two studies in four countries," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(6), pages 2605-2622, November.
    3. Guy Moors, 2008. "The Valued Child. In Search of a Latent Attitude Profile that Influences the Transition to Motherhood," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 24(1), pages 33-57, March.
    4. Guy Moors, 2008. "Exploring the effect of a middle response category on response style in attitude measurement," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 42(6), pages 779-794, December.
    5. Gerhard Tutz & Moritz Berger, 2016. "Response Styles in Rating Scales," Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, , vol. 41(3), pages 239-268, June.
    6. Crawford, Heather J. & Gregory, Gary D., 2015. "Humorous advertising that travels: A review and call for research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(3), pages 569-577.
    7. Richard Sawatzky & Pamela Ratner & Joy Johnson & Jacek Kopec & Bruno Zumbo, 2009. "Sample Heterogeneity and the Measurement Structure of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 94(2), pages 273-296, November.
    8. Mingnan Liu & Frederick G. Conrad & Sunghee Lee, 2017. "Comparing acquiescent and extreme response styles in face-to-face and web surveys," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(2), pages 941-958, March.
    9. Viengkham, Doris & Baumann, Chris & Winzar, Hume & Dahana, Wirawan Dony, 2022. "Toward understanding Convergence and Divergence: Inter-ocular testing of traditional philosophies, economic orientation, and religiosity/spirituality," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1335-1352.
    10. Cabooter, Elke & Weijters, Bert & Geuens, Maggie & Vermeir, Iris, 2016. "Scale format effects on response option interpretation and use," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(7), pages 2574-2584.
    11. Liu Mingnan & Keusch Florian, 2017. "Effects of Scale Direction on Response Style of Ordinal Rating Scales," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 33(1), pages 137-154, March.
    12. Vladimir Magun & Maksim Rudnev & Peter Schmidt, 2013. "Within and Between-Country Value Diversity in Europe: Latent Class Analysis," HSE Working papers WP BRP 06/SOC/2013, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
    13. Piotr Białowolski, 2016. "The influence of negative response style on survey-based household inflation expectations," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 509-528, March.
    14. Jérôme Lacoeuilhe & Selima Ben Mrad & Samy Belaïd & Maria Petrescu, 2017. "Are brand benefits perceived differently in less developed economies ? A scale development and validation," Post-Print hal-01672929, HAL.
    15. Kelly Bradley & Jessica Cunningham & Richard Gilman, 2014. "Measuring Adolescent Life Satisfaction: A Psychometric Investigation of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS)," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1333-1345, December.
    16. Eva Vlimmeren & Guy B. D. Moors & John P. T. M. Gelissen, 2017. "Clusters of cultures: diversity in meaning of family value and gender role items across Europe," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(6), pages 2737-2760, November.
    17. Ulla A. Saari & Rupert J. Baumgartner & Saku J. Mäkinen, 2017. "Eco-Friendly Brands to Drive Sustainable Development: Replication and Extension of the Brand Experience Scale in a Cross-National Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-26, July.
    18. Andrew M. Baker & George P. Moschis & Fon Sim Ong & Ra-Pee Pattanapanyasat, 2013. "Materialism and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Stress and Religiosity," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(3), pages 548-563, November.
    19. Yaya Luc Honore Petnji & Marimon Frederic & Fa Marti Casadesus, 2012. "Measuring E-Service Quality: Reviewing E-S-QUAL," Stochastics and Quality Control, De Gruyter, vol. 27(1), pages 19-41, September.
    20. Miloš Kankaraš & Jeroen K. Vermunt & Guy Moors, 2011. "Measurement Equivalence of Ordinal Items: A Comparison of Factor Analytic, Item Response Theory, and Latent Class Approaches," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 40(2), pages 279-310, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:47:y:2013:i:1:p:193-211. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.