Using screen video capture software to aide and inform cognitive interviewing

Web-based surveys are a salient tool in the repertoire of social and behavioral scientists. The increase in web-based surveys is understandable considering the distinct advantages offered, including: (a) lower costs and reduced labor time, (b) ability to directly transfer data into statistical packages (reducing coding errors), (c) customization options enabling more attractive presentation, (d) ability to reduce respondent burden by embedding skip patterns, and (e) access to larger sample sizes in different geographic regions. It is important to note, however, that administering web-based surveys also introduces distinct sources of error (e.g., coverage, sampling and non-response). Regardless of format (e.g., paper-and-pencil or web-based), specific, prescribed steps must be followed when constructing an instrument in order to reduce survey error and lend credence to the data collected before subsequent analysis is performed. One of those crucial stages integral to the pretesting process is cognitive interviewing. Cognitive interviewing is a qualitative process, encompassing two main techniques: think aloud interviewing and verbal probing. Collectively, these two methods seek to (a) produce information on what the respondent is thinking while answering the questions, (b) the cognitive processes used to answer the questions, and (c) how the respondent answers the questions. The purpose of this article is to provide a practical guide outlining how Camtasia, a screen video capture software, can aide and inform the cognitive interview process

High-resolution esophageal manometry in pediatrics: Effect of esophageal length on diagnostic measures

BACKGROUND: High-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM), derived esophageal pressure topography metrics (EPT), integrated relaxation pressure (IRP), and distal latency (DL) are influenced by age and size. Combined pressure and intraluminal impedance also allow derivation of metrics that define distension pressure and bolus flow timing. We prospectively investigated the effects of esophageal length on these metrics to determine whether adjustment strategies are required for children. METHODS: Fifty-five children (12.3 ± 4.5 years) referred for HREM, and 30 healthy adult volunteers (46.9 ± 3.8 years) were included. Studies were performed using the MMS system and a standardized protocol including 10 × 5 mL thin liquid bolus swallows (SBM kit, Trisco Foods) and analyzed via Swallow Gateway (www.swallowgateway.com). Esophageal distension pressures and swallow latencies were determined in addition to EGJ resting pressure and standard EPT metrics. Effects of esophageal length were examined using partial correlation, correcting for age. Adult-derived upper limits were adjusted for length using the slopes of the identified linear equations. KEY RESULTS: Mean esophageal length in children was 16.8 ± 2.8 cm and correlated significantly with age (r = 0.787, P = .000). Shorter length correlated with higher EGJ resting pressure and 4-s integrated relaxation pressures (IRP), distension pressures, and shorter contraction latencies. Ten patients had an IRP above the adult upper limit. Adjustment for esophageal length reduced the number of patients with elevated IRP to three. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: We prospectively confirmed that certain EPT metrics, as well as potential useful adjunct pressure-impedance measures such as distension pressure, are substantially influenced by esophageal length and require adjusted diagnostic thresholds specifically for children.Maartje M. J. Singendonk, Lara F. Ferris, Lisa McCall, Grace Seiboth, Katie Lowe, David Moore, Paul Hammond, Richard Couper, Rammy Abu, Assi, Charles Cock, Marc A. Benninga, Michiel P. van Wijk, Taher I. Omar

Social environmental impacts on survey cooperation

Social environmental influences on survey cooperation are explored using data from six national household surveys in the United States matched to 1990 decennial census data. Consistent with the past literature on prosocial behavior, cooperation rates in these six surveys are found to be lower in urban, densely populated, high crime rate areas. Measures of social cohesion show no evidence of influencing cooperation. The influence of the environmental variables is then observed after introducing statistical controls for household structure, race, age of household members, presence of children, and socioeconomic attributes of households. Over half of the measured influence of the environmental variables is explained by these household-level attributes. These findings have practical import for survey administrators and are informative for the construction of a theory of survey participation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43559/1/11135_2004_Article_BF00153986.pd

Optimizing opt-out consent for record linkage

This article reports on a study testing the effects of different ways of administering an opt-out consent for record linkage in a probability-based Internet panel. First, we conducted cognitive interviews to explore reactions to a draft version of the opt-out consent text. Second, we conducted a two-factor experiment to test the effects of content manipulations and mode. The results indicate that the way in which respondents were informed did not have much effect on opting out. Results from a follow-up survey on attitudes regarding privacy, confidentiality, and trust, along with knowledge questions about the process of linking, showed no evidence that presenting the opt-out consent statement makes respondents more concerned about privacy. Knowledge about the aspects of record linkage is generally not high. When looking at long-term effects of sending an opt-out consent statement, we found no evidence that this leads to higher attrition or lower participation rates

Features of the Z-scoring method in graphical two-dimensional web surveys: the case of ZEF

Survey, Web survey, Two-dimensionality, Standardization, Comparing,