Factorial Survey Method (Rossi's Method)

Rossi's factorial survey method, proposed by sociologist Peter Rossi, is a technique that uses vignettes to explore individuals' beliefs and judgments. The method begins with a particular view of human nature. In this view, humans seek to know the causes of things, and they judge (evaluate) the "goodness" or "badness" of things. The drive to understand the way the world works produces positive ideas, and the drive to judge the world produces normative ideas. These positive and normative ideas can be represented by equations, termed, respectively, the positive-belief equation and the normative-judgment equation. In the positive-belief equation, also known as a "what is" equation, the individual-observer is acting as a lay scientist, whereas in the normative-belief equation, also known as a "what ought to be" ...