Comparing sexual assault prevalence estimates obtained with direct and indirect questioning techniques

Christopher P. Krebs, Christine H. Lindquist, Tara D. Warner, Bonnie S. Fisher, Sandra L. Martin, James M. Childers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Concerns have been expressed about the validity of self-reported data on sexual assault, as victims might be reluctant to disclose what happened to them. In this study, using an anonymous, web-based survey, a sample of 5,446 undergraduate women were asked about their experiences with physically forced sexual assault using both direct and indirect questioning methods. The prevalence of physically forced sexual assault obtained via indirect questioning was slightly higher than, though not substantially or statistically different from, the estimate obtained via direct questioning. The results suggest that either direct questioning yields reasonably valid estimates of the prevalence of sexual assault or that the item count technique does not produce estimates that are any more valid.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)219-235
Number of pages17
JournalViolence Against Women
Volume17
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • indirect questioning
  • item count
  • sexual assault
  • sexual victimization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Law

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