The Effectiveness of the Vignette Methodology: A Comparison of Written and Video Vignettes in Eliciting Responses about Date Rape

Abstract

Most research addressing issues of victimization, such as date rape, has made use of written vignettes. In this study we investigated whether the same patterns of blame attribution are given for written and video vignettes. Three videos depicting hypothetical heterosexual date rape incidents were made. Each one was based on one of three variables that have been shown to have relevance to evaluations of date rape: "owing", "leading on" and "alcohol". The videos were transcribed into written vignettes. Participants were randomly assigned to one of six experimental groups, watched one of the videos or read one of the vignettes, and completed a questionnaire to assess attribution of blame and the degree to which the situation was defined as rape. The two methodologies differed significantly for the alcohol scenario, where participants blamed the victim more and were less likely to define the situation as rape when the written vignette methodology was used. The implications of these findings are discussed with reference to further research and education in the field of date rape.

Rape Crimes Reviewed: The Role of Observer Variables in Female Victim Blaming

“…is an issue that must be dealt with, especially because it was proven to be associated with more evidence of rape myth acceptance and victim blaming than video recording (Sleed, Durrheim, Kriel, Solomon, & Baxter, 2002).…”

Vignette Methodology and Culture-Relevance: Lessons Learned through a Project on Successful Aging with Iranian Immigrants to Sweden

“…Vignettes are, for example, no longer administered exclusively in written form nor are they only used within the context of survey research (see, for example, Alves and Rossi 1978;Samphier 1983 and1984;Finch 1987;Nosanchuk 1972;Rossi et al 1974;West 1984 andWest et al 1984). Nowadays, they are utilized in face-to-face interviews (see Hughes 1998 andRichman andMercer 2002) and are sometimes presented through videotape (see Cohen and Strayer 1996;Johnson 2000;McKinstry 2000 andSleed et al 2002), audiotape (see Sigelman et al 1992 andWard et al 1994) and computers (see Stolte 1994).…”

Using Vignette Methodology as a Tool for Exploring Cultural Identity Positions of Language Brokers

“…Thus, there has been a focus on making the vignettes as meaningful and realistic as possible. Those who critique the method question whether a written narrative is ever able to capture contextual reality or extract real-world reactions to the stories (Sleed, Durrheim, Kreil, Soloman, & Baxter, 2002). Others have argued that the methodology can capture links between statements participants make about behavior in vignette research and their actual behavior in real life contexts.…”