AT A GLANCE
A survey experiment from the Harvard Dataverse examining political trust and social desirability bias in China. Uses an embedded list experiment — an indirect measurement technique — to detect overreporting of regime support in authoritarian contexts.
Key Highlights:
- Source: Harvard Dataverse (Nicholson & Huang)
- Design: Standard survey with embedded list experiment
- Focus: Political trust vs. social desirability bias in authoritarian settings
- Coverage: People's Republic of China
- Recommended Analysis: Ordered logit, bar graph visualization (not regression)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The list experiment methodology reduces bias from respondents in authoritarian contexts who may overreport socially desirable attitudes. Researchers can analyze how political support varies across government levels (local, provincial, central) and how demographic characteristics moderate reported trust.
Research Applications:
- Political trust measurement in authoritarian regimes
- Social desirability bias detection and correction
- Comparative politics — trust in democracies vs. authoritarian systems
- List experiment methodology studies
Subject Terms: political trust, China, social desirability, list experiment, authoritarian politics, comparative politics, survey experiment
SCOPE & METHODOLOGY
- Geographic Coverage: People's Republic of China
- Smallest Geographic Unit: Individual respondent
- Time Period: See documentation for survey dates
- Universe: Adult citizens in the People's Republic of China
- Unit of Observation: Individual survey respondent
- Data Type: Experimental survey data (list experiment design)
Data Collection: Standard survey experiment with embedded list experiment for indirect measurement of sensitive political attitudes. Authors note this data is suitable for ordered logit analysis and bar graph visualization; regression analysis is not recommended.
CITATION
University of Maryland, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences [distributor]. Reevaluating Political Trust and Social Desirability in China. Originally from Harvard Dataverse (Nicholson & Huang). BSOS Social Science Data Repository, 2026. https://bsos-data.umd.edu/dataset/making-the-list-reevaluating-political-trust-and-social-desirability-in-china
FILES & DOCUMENTATION
Available:
- cover_sheet (DOCX)
- data_trust (XLSX)
- codebook_trust (XLSX)
Planned Additions:
- Blank Questionnaire — Full instrument with list experiment items and control conditions
- Data Dictionary — Variable definitions, experimental condition coding, list experiment scoring