The Influence of Anonymity on Expressed Attitudes
Donald C. Pelz · Human Organization · 1959
When opinion questionnaires are administered in organizations, it is standard practice to assure anonymity. The assumption is that anonymous individuals will feel free to express themselves more frankly—probably in more unfavorable terms. Even if data are collected by a neutral outside agency, with guarantees of confidential handling of data, employees presumably feel freer if anonymous.