Designing a questionnaire on the confidentiality perceptions of business respondents

This paper discusses in detail issues dealing with the technical aspects of designing and conducting surveys. It is intended for an audience of survey methodologists.

Very little is known about the perceptions of business data providers regarding the confidentiality pledges of statistical agencies. This paper describes the steps taken to operationalize the complex, multidimensional concept of confidentiality; and to develop a brief, self-administered questionnaire, keeping in mind practical differences between businesses and households relative to the survey requests. This paper demonstrates how collaboration in the questionnaire development process can result in improved quality.