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Social values are most commonly measured using ranking techniques, but there is a scarcity of systematic comparisons between rankings & other approaches to measuring values in survey research. On the basis of data from the 1980 General Social Survey (N not given, see NORC, 1982, 207-212). The comparability of results obtained using rankings & ratings of valued qualities is evaluted. The comparison focuses on: (1) the ordering of aggregate value preferences, & (2) the measurement of individual differences in latent value preferences. The two methods are judged to be similar with respect to ordering the aggregate preferences of the sample, but dissimilar with regard to the latent variable structure underlying the measures. 5 Tables, 50 References. Modified AA

Five split-ballot experiments, plus replications, were carried out in several national surveys to compare the effects of offering or omitting a middle alternative in forced-choice attitude questions. Explicitly offering a middle position significantly increases the size of that category, but tends not to otherwise affect univariate distributions. The relation of intensity to the middle position is somewhat greater on 'offered' forms than on 'omitted' forms (less intense respondents being more affected by question form than those who feel more strongly); but, in general, form does not alter the relationship between an item & a number of other respondent characteristics. Finally, in one instance there is evidence that form can change the conclusion about whether two attitude items are related, but the results are of uncertain reliability. 4 Tables, 1 Figure. AA.

Population-based survey experiments -- A hybrid methodology for the social sciences -- Treatments for population-based experimental designs -- Treatments to improve measurement -- Direct and indirect treatments -- Vignette treatments -- Treatments in the context of games -- Execution and analysis -- Execution of population-based survey experiments -- Analysis of population-based survey experiments -- Situating population-based survey experiments -- External validity reconsidered -- More than just another method

Discusses the conceptualisation and measurement of survey error in the context of finite resources for error reduction. (AM)