Approaches that will yield greater success when implementing self-administered electronic data capture ICT systems in the developing world with an illiterate or semi-literate population

The Information Technology (IT) Group at the Population Council responded to a need for a technology solution that would help researchers obtain more accurate responses to survey questions that concerned subject matter of a sensitive nature. The IT Group had three goals: (1) to enhance research by obtaining the best data possible, (2) to operate successfully in the local environment and be welcomed by the local populations, and (3) to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the survey process. This paper outlines approaches to consider when designing and implementing self-administered information and communications technology (ICT) questionnaires in developing countries, and reviews the problems and issues we encountered and how we overcame them. Many of the approaches outlined may also be used in general for ICT-related projects in the developing world. To meet future challenges, we have begun an effort to build a prototype system that would operate on a variety of devices—when connected to the internet or not (securely storing the data when the system is offline)—and provide an administrative application to step through simple screens to build a self-administered questionnaire with the most frequently used functions

Intersections of Critical Systems Thinking and Community Based Participatory Research in Developing a Web Site for Autistic Adults

People with disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, comprise the world\u27s largest minority and experience significant inequities in Internet use. Existing standards for accessible web sites are necessary but not sufficient without the direct engagement of end users in identifying access needs. Yet little is known about methods for effective engagement, and there are no systematically derived Web accessibility guidelines for autistic end users. Here I explore a hybrid approach to direct engagement using critical systems thinking (CST) and community based participatory research (CBPR) during the co-development of a healthcare-focused web site by the Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE). I explore these ideas on three levels: theory, practice, and critical self-reflection. On the theory level, I examine the common philosophical and historical roots of CST and CBPR, ways in which they intersect and complement, and propose the hybrid approach exemplified by AASPIRE. On the practice level, I explore our web site development process and evaluate the accessibility, usability, and acceptability of the web site for autistic end users; from that work, comes a set of recommendations for working with people with disabilities in technology development and a set of accessibility guidelines for autistic end users. On the critical self-reflection level, I inquire into my own experiences as an insider-researcher during the web site development. I then synthesize the levels to evaluate whether or not taking a hybrid CST/CBPR approach to web development was effective, as indicated by the team\u27s ability to function as an emancipatory learning organization (an indicator of effective systems thinking on an organizational level), and the overall usability and accessibility of the web site. The result of the synthesis suggests a hybrid CST/CBPR approach was effective. Implications of this work include innovations in CST methods for operationalizing its commitment to human emancipation, potential for drawing a more ideologically-aligned systems thinking literature into the domain of CBPR, a means for individuals wishing to create a more power-balanced learning organization, innovations around including people with disabilities in research and technology development, more accessible web sites for people on the autism spectrum, and a potential small shift of dominant discourse around autism, disability, and the value of insider-researchers over time

Migration Research in a Digitized World

This open access book explores implications of the digital revolution for migration scholars’ methodological toolkit. New information and communication technologies hold considerable potential to improve the quality of migration research by originating previously non-viable solutions to a myriad of methodological challenges in this field of study. Combining cutting-edge migration scholarship and methodological expertise, the book addresses a range of crucial issues related to both researcher-designed data collections and the secondary use of “big data”, highlighting opportunities as well as challenges and limitations. A valuable source for students and scholars engaged in migration research, the book will also be of keen interest to policymakers

Migration Research in a Digitized World: Using Innovative Technology to Tackle Methodological Challenges

This open access book explores implications of the digital revolution for migration scholars’ methodological toolkit. New information and communication technologies hold considerable potential to improve the quality of migration research by originating previously non-viable solutions to a myriad of methodological challenges in this field of study. Combining cutting-edge migration scholarship and methodological expertise, the book addresses a range of crucial issues related to both researcher-designed data collections and the secondary use of “big data”, highlighting opportunities as well as challenges and limitations. A valuable source for students and scholars engaged in migration research, the book will also be of keen interest to policymakers

Migration Research in a Digitized World: Using Innovative Technology to Tackle Methodological Challenges

This book explores implications of the digital revolution for migration scholars' methodological toolkit. New information and communication technologies hold considerable potential to improve the quality of migration research by originating previously non-viable solutions to a myriad of methodological challenges in this field of study. Combining cutting-edge migration scholarship and methodological expertise, the book addresses a range of crucial issues related to both researcher-designed data collections and the secondary use of "big data", highlighting opportunities as well as challenges and limitations. A valuable source for students and scholars engaged in migration research, the book will also be of keen interest to policymakers

Population Briefs, Vol. 15, no. 3

IN THIS ISSUE: Despite laws, too many girls marry early | New data guides bring adolescents into focus | Urban transformation calls for new approach to health services | South African program promotes “resilience” and improves post-rape care | Attention to neglected postnatal period saves lives | Contraceptive research leads to an array of option

Population Briefs, Vol. 19, no. 2

IN THIS ISSUE: Understanding and empowering migrant girls | Study highlights data needed to reduce child marriage | Researchers call for a green contraceptive research and development agenda | Lessons from a decade of MSM research in sub-Saharan Afric

How you ask the question really matters: A randomized comparison of four questionnaire delivery modes to assess validity and reliability of self-reported socially censured data in rural Zimbabwean youth

Validity and reliability of self-reported sexual behaviour in epidemiological surveys are suboptimal, particularly among young people. 1495 rural Zimbabwean youth were randomly allocated to one of the following: self-administered questionnaire (SAQ=373), SAQ accompanied by an audio soundtrack (Audio-SAQ=376); face-to-face interview using an informal confidential voting box (ICVI=365); and audio computer-assisted survey instrument (ACASI=381). Biomarkers for sexual activity included HIV, HSV-2 and pregnancy test in females. Key questions were selected a priori to compare item non-response and rates of reporting sensitive behaviours between questionnaire delivery modes. Additional qualitative and quantitative data were collected on method acceptability. Item non-response was significantly higher with SAQ and Audio-SAQ than with ICVI and ACASI (p<0.001). After adjusting for covariates, Audio-SAQ and ACASI users were twice as likely to report sexual activity when compared to SAQ users, with no reporting difference between ICVI and SAQ users. ACASI users reported a lower age at first sex (p<0.045). ACASI users reported increased ability to answer questions honestly (p=0.004) and believed their answers would be kept confidential. Participants claimed increased comprehension when hearing questions while reading them. ICVI users expressed difficulty answering sensitive questions, despite understanding that their answers would not be known by the interviewer. As a result, two methods, Audio-SAQ and ACASI were chosen to complete the final survey. In this larger sample we found evidence that the effect of mode differed by gender. There were fewer ACASI users with a positive biomarker for sexual activity that did not report sex (p<0.001). These results coupled with a systematic review of effect of questionnaire delivery mode on sexual behaviour reporting from developing countries provide strong evidence that ACASI significantly reduces bias, is feasible and acceptable in resource-poor settings with low computer literacy. Its increased use could improve sexual behaviour data quality

A Comparison of Computer- and Interviewer-Administered Measures to Identify Heavy/Problem Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Primary Care Patients

Substance use is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality that is under-identified in primary care settings. Screening for substance use in primary care requires an efficient and accurate approach. Exploring methods to collect sensitive and accurate data about substance use and related problems is important to inform research practice and clinical care. Using RCT data comparing computerized and therapist delivered brief intervention for substance use problems, the present study had a unique opportunity to compare computerized anonymous and confidential surveys to a confidential, interviewer-administered assessment in a sample of N = 540 males and females at risk for heavy/problem alcohol and/or drug use and recruited through an urban primary care clinic. This study also compared self-reports of recent substance use to urine drug assay findings. Finally, the study identified correlates of any recent (past 30-day) use and days of alcohol and other drug use per week in the past 30 days. The sample was 39% male, 78% African American, and had a mean age of 45.1 years. More participants self-reported alcohol use on the computerized, anonymous screen, including any recent (past 30-day) alcohol use, binge drinking, and problems associated with alcohol use. Any recent (past 30-day) illicit drug use rates were highest on the confidential computerized survey, and quantity/frequency of alcohol use as well as frequency of illicit drug and prescription drug misuse were highest on the interviewer-administered assessment. Overall concordance rates between interviewer-administered assessment and urine drug screening (UDS) were 72% or higher for each substance, driven by large subgroups with no use. Among participants with discordant use, marijuana and heroin / opiate use were the only substance with lower detection on UDS than self-report. Exploratory analyses examined psychosocial correlates of self-reported substance use. Anonymously screening for recent substance use followed by an interviewer-administered assessment provides the most parsimonious method to identify sensitive data about substance use and related behaviors in primary care. This approach has the potential to facilitate implementation of substance screening into demanding clinical environments