Self-reported data are widely used in social science research but are highly susceptible to Social Desirability Bias (SDB), mainly in studies involving sensitive & normatively regulated behaviors. Although numerous methodological approaches have been adopted to address this bias, the evidence remains fragmented across disciplines. This study presents a PRISMA-guided systematic literature review of 32 peer-reviewed studies examining alternative reflection & response techniques designed to mitigate SDB in self-reported data. The review synthesizes findings across randomized & non-randomized indirect questioning methods, cross-sectional and longitudinal models, list & endorsement experiments, anchoring vignettes, implicit measures, bogus pipeline techniques, and ecological momentary assessment. Through comparative thematic analysis, the study evaluates the effectiveness, assumptions, and practical limitations of these methods. The findings demonstrate that no single technique universally mitigates SDB; rather, effectiveness depends on alignment between research objectives, underlying bias mechanisms, and contextual conditions. The review contributes an integrative methodological framework and practical guidance to support improved measurement validity in social science research.
