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Can Cognitive Information be Collected through the Mail? Comparing Cognitive Data Collected in Written versus Verbal Form
Can Cognitive Information be Collected through the Mail? Comparing Cognitive Data Collected in Written versus Verbal Form
SM95-02
Introduction
Cognitive pretesting of questionnaires is quickly gaining recognition as a useful way for identifying possible causes of survey response error (Tourangeau, 1984; Forsyth & Lessler, 1991; Willis, Royston & Bercini, 1991.) Specifically, these techniques are used to help identify problems with comprehension of the survey items as a whole as well as specific terms, understanding and use of the response scales, and so on. Though there are many cognitive methods which can be used for pretesting, a very frequently used method is some version of a cognitive interview. Concurrent think aloud interviews, retrospective interviews with probing, interviews using paraphrasing techniques vignette classification, as well as others, are example of techniques used in conducting cognitive interviews. The common element is that they all involve respondent participation and are interviewer-administered.
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Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021
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