Abstract

During the last years, situation tests and mystery shopping got much attention in public debates. Academics uncovered structural discrimination on both housing and labour markets and politicians and civil society movements made a strong plea for situation tests and mystery shopping as means to tackle discriminatory companies and realtors. This review article examines to which extent situation and correspondence tests can be used as both a scientifc method and a policy instrument in the fght against discrimination. First, we construct on the basis of three criteria a typology of techniques to test discrimination: situation tests, correspondence tests, mystery calls/visits and mystery mails. For each test, we discuss briefy their history, applications and ad- and disadvantages. This typology is not yet widely accepted, but can conceptually feed future research. Second, we make a status quaestionis of the research about situation and correspondence tests a policy instruments. Research is scarce, but suggests that in some contexts and under some conditions situation and correspondence tests are effective, realistic and ethical to perform. Therefore, we are in favour of using situation and correspondence tests as a policy instrument to tackle discrimination. 

How to Cite:

Verhaeghe, P. & Van der Bracht, K., (2017) “Praktijktesten: van onderzoeksmethode naar beleidsinstrument tegen discriminatie?”, Sociologos 38(1-2), 188–206. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/sociologos.86942