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Research in the field of masking sensitive opinions suggests that when respondents are interviewed in a conventional manner, some socially undesirable opinions may be masked. However, the validity of these studies can be questioned. The present research proposes to introduce a new method using anonymous online survey to mitigate the effects of masking. This method allows to reduce the disadvantages of the technique of substitution, conventionally used in studies of masking, and to study experimentally the limitations of this technique. 183 participants produced words about the Roma population, according to the two instructions of the substitution technique, online or by using a paper and pencil survey. The results suggest that the substitution technique is perhaps not best suited to account for masking effects and provide new elements for discussion about processes involved.