This proposal is to develop and test techniques identifying and diagnosing problems with questions during pretests of a survey questionnaire. Pretesting is virtually an unexplored area of survey methodology. Developing effective techniques to improve survey questions can make a significant impact on the quality of health survey data. Several major types of question problems will be examined, including comprehension and communication difficulties, complex concepts or technical terms, and difficulty in recall and information processing. The techniques to be examined were developed for other purposes and will require adapting, developing, and testing for application to pretests. These techniques include: coding interviewer and respondent interview behavior; use of special diagnostic questions and probes identifying comprehension, understanding, and information processing difficulties; special sensitivity and skill training of pretest interviewers; and use of specialized rating scales for interviewers' evaluations of questions. Experimental pretests will be conducted, using questions from existing health surveys, salted with problem questions. The goal is to develop a set of effective pretest techniques that can be used without appreciably adding to pretest time and cost.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HS005616-01
Application #
3371525
Study Section
(HSDG)
Project Start
1987-09-01
Project End
1989-02-28
Budget Start
1987-09-01
Budget End
1988-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109