Factorial Survey Designs

2020-12-09 | Workshop | Carsten Sauer (Zeppelin University)
Abstract
The factorial survey (vignette analyses) is a method that integrates multi-factorial experimental designs into surveys. Respondents are asked to evaluate fictitious situations, objects or persons. By systematically varying attributes of the descriptions it is possible to determine their influence on respondents' stated attitudes, decisions, or choices. Due to experimental variation of stimuli researchers can estimate the influence of each attribute on respondents' evaluations. As the experiment is embedded in a survey questionnaire, it is possible to reach heterogeneous sample populations. This workshop provides insights into the steps that are necessary to design factorial survey experiments: (1) construction of vignettes and response scales, (2) selection of an experimental design, (3) programming of vignettes for implementation into questionnaires, (4) data management, (5) data analysis techniques. The workshop furthermore discusses (6) methodological issues and best practices and shows similarities and differences to (7) related methods like conjoint analysis and choice experiments.
Presenter
Carsten Sauer is Full Professor of Sociology and Social Stratification in the Department of Political & Social Sciences at Zeppelin University, Friedrichshafen, Germany. His susbtantive work focuses on social inequality, social stratification, labor markets, empirical justice research organizations, and health. Methodologically, he is interested in quantitative methods, survey experiments, and longitudinal data analysis.

[@lmvdam]

very clear and helpful, thanks for open sourcing this!