Paper Number
ECIS2025-1203
Paper Type
SP
Abstract
This study explores the potential for using synthetic data in scale development knowledge in Information Systems (IS). If successful, the use of synthetic data can revolutionize how scholars conduct scale development, potentially eliminating the need to collect data from a human sample in the early stages of scale development. We use genAI tools (like GPT3.5) to generate synthetic responses to a previously validated IS measurement model and test whether correlation patterns can be replicated. Response patterns to validated scales could only be partially replicated. This calls for caution with respect to the use of synthetic responses use in scale development.
Recommended Citation
Bonaretti, Dario and Barreto, Tais, "USING SYNTHETIC RESPONDERS FOR SCALE DEVELOPMENT IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS" (2025). ECIS 2025 Proceedings. 5.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2025/cog_hbis/cog_hbis/5
USING SYNTHETIC RESPONDERS FOR SCALE DEVELOPMENT IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
This study explores the potential for using synthetic data in scale development knowledge in Information Systems (IS). If successful, the use of synthetic data can revolutionize how scholars conduct scale development, potentially eliminating the need to collect data from a human sample in the early stages of scale development. We use genAI tools (like GPT3.5) to generate synthetic responses to a previously validated IS measurement model and test whether correlation patterns can be replicated. Response patterns to validated scales could only be partially replicated. This calls for caution with respect to the use of synthetic responses use in scale development.
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