The design of scoring schemes for surveys using the block total response method

Abstract

In this article we investigate the design of scoring schemes for surveys using the block total response method. This method was first proposed by Raghavarao and Federer (1979) to provide accurate estimates of the base rates of sensitive characteristics using balanced incomplete block designs. The scoring scheme used in Raghavarao and Federer (1979) did not guarantee anonymity of answers and so the possibility of improving on this basic scoring scheme is considered in this article.