Using Factorial Surveys to Study Justice Perceptions: Five Methodological Problems of Attitudinal Justice Research

Abstract

This article provides an overview of how factorial surveys have been used in justice research in the past. It addresses the question of why this method is particularly useful to survey attitudes toward justice. This question is discussed with reference to five problems of empirical justice research. For each of these problems, findings are presented from recent justice research that has used the factorial survey method, with a focus on assessing the allocation and distribution of goods (earnings/income, transfer payments, pensions) and burdens (taxes). The paper concludes with a discussion of future developments and possible applications in this research field.