Conferences

In recent years, various models that describe the cognitive processes underlying question answering have been proposed. A lot of research is guided by the model of question answering by Tourangeau, Rips and Rasinski (2000). This model distinguishes four stages in question answering: (1) comprehension of the question, (2) retrieval of information, (3) deriving a judgement, and (4) formulating a response.
In addition, there are dual-process models, such as the satisficing model proposed by Krosnick (1991). In this model, two groups of respondents are distinguished: those who satisfice, and try to do just enough to give a plausible answer versus those who optimize, and do their best to give a good answer.

Cognitive models such as the two described above, have many applications. For example, they help in understanding what is measured when administering surveys, and they provide a point of departure in explaining the wide range of method effects survey researchers observe. Also, cognitive theory in surveys is used by psychologists, linguists and other scholars to obtain a deeper understanding of, for example, language processing, the nature of attitudes, and memory.

In this talk we will discuss some cognitive models, focussing especially on the models by Tourangeau, Rips and Rasinski (2000) and Krosnick (1999). Furthermore, we will talk about some recent research on cognition in surveys. Part of this research uses increasingly advanced cognitive measures, such as eye-tracking or ERPs (‘brainwaves’). Different fundamental issues are touched upon, such as: to what extent is research on cognition in surveys useful for survey methodology? And to what extent do the explanations for specific method effects contribute to the development of cognitive theory?