Response Format Effects in Encounter Norm Questions |
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Authors: | Jerry J Vaske Maureen P Donnelly Meryem Bihter Bingül |
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Institution: | Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA |
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Abstract: | Survey response format has been shown to influence norm prevalence (percentage reporting a norm) and the numerical value of the reported norm. This article summarizes an experiment where respondents were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In the semi-open response format treatment, respondents (n = 817) “wrote in a number” for an acceptable number of visitor encounters. In the closed format treatment, individuals (n = 826) “circled a number” of acceptable encounters along a range of possible responses. Hypothesis 1 predicted that norm prevalence would be higher for the closed format than the semi-open. Hypothesis 2 predicted that the mean tolerance level would differ in the two treatments. Results supported hypothesis 1. The percent reporting a norm was statistically higher in the closed versus the semi-open treatment. Results failed to support hypothesis 2. The average tolerance levels for the closed and semi-open formats were statistically equivalent. |
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Keywords: | format effects norm prevalence norms response format standards |
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