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

Exploring the Preferences of Female Teenagers when Seeking Sexual Health Information using Websites and Apps

Mobile technology has become an increasingly popular source for female teenagers to seek sexual health information. However, it is not known what design features teenagers want in sexual health apps. Therefore, this research aimed to explore whether internet-based sexual health resources via websites and mobiles apps are meeting teenagers’ sexual health needs and to explore for the first time teenagers’ perceptions of the design features of sexual health mobile apps. Twenty-three female participants aged 13-16 years (M = 14.3, SD = 0.91) viewed either six existing sexual health websites or three existing sexual health mobile apps chosen to be representative of the range and variety currently available. Participants then took part in focus groups evaluating each of the websites and mobile apps. The findings indicate that teenagers currently use their phones to access sexual health information due to ease of access and privacy. However, teenagers were not aware of sexual health apps. Participants believed that apps should have similar design features to websites but apps should contain an interactive element paired with accurate sexual health information. At present, female teenagers are not using sexual health mobile apps, yet they believe they are more convenient and private compared to websites. Professionals’ designing mobile apps should consider how best to market this resource appropriately to teenagers whilst ensuring that they contain both interactive features and accurate information