In:
Field Methods, SAGE Publications, Vol. 34, No. 1 ( 2022-02), p. 36-51
Abstract:
To ensure the accuracy of self-reported data, it is important to reduce potential sources of bias such as the unwanted influence of prior questions on subsequent questions, the so-called item context effect. This article attempts to replicate the finding that evaluative subjective well-being was affected by a preceding item, a question about the political atmosphere in the country; it also examines manipulations that could mitigate the impact of the context-inducing item on well-being. Study 1 used a sample of 4,500 participants recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk; it examined the effect of three manipulations based on adding buffer questions or adding text to reorient participants’ attention. A context effect was found, and one manipulation mitigated the context effect. Study 2 used a nationally representative sample ( n = 906); it only replicated the context effect. These results reaffirm the importance of carefully considering item context effects in survey research.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1525-822X
,
1552-3969
DOI:
10.1177/1525822X221077393
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2058705-3
SSG:
5,1
SSG:
10
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