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https://doi.org/10.18148/srm/2008.v2i3.1669
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The Three-Step Test-Interview (TSTI): an observation-based method for pretesting self-completion questionnaires
Das dreistufige Testinterview: eine auf Beobachtung basierende Methode zur Überprüfung von Selbst-Vervollständigungsfragebögen
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Abstract "Three-Step Test-Interview (TSTI) is a method for pretesting a self-completion questionnaire by first observing actual instances of interaction between the instrument and respondents (the response process) before exploring the reasons for this behavior. The TSTI consists of the following three steps... view more
"Three-Step Test-Interview (TSTI) is a method for pretesting a self-completion questionnaire by first observing actual instances of interaction between the instrument and respondents (the response process) before exploring the reasons for this behavior. The TSTI consists of the following three steps: 1. (Respondent-driven) observation of response behavior. 2. (Interviewer-driven) follow-up probing aimed at remedying gaps in observational data. 3. (Interviewer-driven) debriefing aimed at eliciting experiences and opinions. The authors describe the aims and the techniques of these three steps, and then discuss pilot studies in which they tested the feasibility and the productivity of the TSTI by applying it in testing three rather different types of questionnaires. In the first study, the quality of a set of questions about alcohol consumption was assessed. The TSTI proved to be productive in identifying problems that resulted from a mismatch between the 'theory' underlying the questions on the one hand, and features of a respondent's actual behavior and biography on the other hand. In the second pilot study, Dutch and Norwegian versions of an attitude scale, the 20-item Illegal Aliens Scale, were tested. The TSTI appeared to be productive in identifying problems that resulted from different 'response strategies'. In the third pilot, a two-year longitudinal study, the TSTI appeared to be an effective method for documenting processes of 'response shift' in repeated measurements of health-related Quality of Life (QoL)." (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
Netherlands; interview; measurement; questionnaire; Norway; data quality; experiment; research focus; behavior; data acquisition; scale construction; research topic; research practice; method; test; research approach; theory; research implementation; research process; research results; application
Classification
Methods and Techniques of Data Collection and Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Computer Methods
Research Design
Document language
English
Publication Year
2008
Page/Pages
p. 143-150
Journal
Survey Research Methods, 2 (2008) 3
ISSN
1864-3361
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications