A New Method of Examining Relationships between Individual Difference Measures and Sensitive Behavior Criteria: Evaluating the Unmatched Count Technique

A method is introduced for estimating the relationship between individual difference measures and sensitive behavior criteria that offers respondents greater anonymity than direct self-report. This method uses the unmatched count technique (UCT), a form of a randomized response technique, for eliciting more candid responses regarding past engagement in counterproductive behaviors (CBs). Integrity, conscientiousness, and either UCT-obtained or self-reported CB data were obtained from undergraduates. Results failed to show stronger base rates for UCT-obtained base rates of CB criteria over direct self-report criteria. Mixed results were found regarding the relationships between integrity, conscientiousness, and UCT-obtained versus direct self-report CBs.