Measurement and control of response styles using anchoring vignettes: a model-based approach

Abstract

Response styles are frequently of concern when rating scales are used in psychological survey instruments. While latent trait models provide an attractive way of controlling for response style effects (Morren, Gelissen, & Vermunt, 2011), the analyses are generally limited to accommodating only a small number of response style types. The use of anchoring vignettes provides an opportunity to overcome this limitation. In this article, a new latent trait model is introduced that uses vignette responses to measure and control for any form of response style. An illustration is provided with data from a cross-national study of self-reported conscientiousness by Mõttus, Allik, Realo, Pullman, et al. (2012).