Measuring gender attitudes using list experiments

This study measured attitudes towards intimate partner violence and child marriage among adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh using both direct surveys and list experiments, a method designed to elicit honest responses to sensitive questions. Direct questions found that only 5% of girls accepted intimate partner violence and 2% accepted child marriage. However, list experiments—which hide individual responses to reduce social desirability bias—revealed much higher support at 30% and 24% respectively. The research investigates how various factors relate to girls' preferences for gender equality in rural Bangladesh.

Key points

• Direct survey responses showed only 5% of girls accept intimate partner violence, but list experiments revealed 30% support
• Direct survey responses showed only 2% of girls accept child marriage, but list experiments revealed 24% support
• List experiments used as a method to reduce social desirability bias in responses to sensitive questions about gender norms
• The study collected data specifically from rural Bangladesh to understand adolescent girls' true attitudes towards these practices
• Variables relating to preferences for egalitarian gender norms were investigated alongside the main findings

Limitations

The document does not provide details on the specific variables investigated, the sample size, or the characteristics of participating girls. It is unclear what interventions or policies might be recommended based on these findings about attitudes.