Double-sampling regression-cum-exponential estimator of the mean of a sensitive variable

ABSTRACT A flexible scrambled response model using a randomization device for quantitative sensitive data is used to evaluate the protection of respondents’ privacy. A double-sampling regression-cum-exponential estimator is used to estimate the mean of a sensitive variable using the mean of a nonsensitive auxiliary variable under scrambled response. The expected bias, the expected mean square error, and the minimum mean square error of this exponential-type estimator are expressed. Simulations and empirical results show that the proposed estimator under scrambled response model has a lower mean square error and a lower bias than the ratio and the exponential estimators.