Double rating as a method to encourage Candid responses to self-report instruments

Abstract

This paper investigates the double-rating method (DRM) as a way to reduce test takers' social desirability response set. This involves the introduction of a pre-assessment task, in which respondents indicate how others would probably answer the test or survey questionnaire presented. Two studies conducted in Hong Kong and Canada evaluate the effectiveness of the DRM. Results show that social desirability responses obtained using this method are significantly less frequent than those obtained under a conventional instruction. The pre-assessment task induces test takers to realize that other people will probably respond truthfully, and report some socially undesirable information. The test takers subsequently conform to this frankness in their own self-report. The merits and limitations of this method are discussed.