A researcher isn't sure whether 60-year-old women, the target population of her research, will understand the wording of a questionnaire's 50 items assessing knowledge of symptoms of myocardial infarction in women

Question

Consequently, the researcher might logically decide to do which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
a. Provide a small glossary defining some of the more technical terms on the questionnaire.
b. Conduct a pilot of the questionnaire.
c. Use a Q-sort methodology to prioritize the essential questions and decrease the questionnaire down to 20 items.
d. Ask a content expert to evaluate the readability of the questionnaire.
e. Arrange for several radio and TV public-service announcements, informing the public of the symptoms of myocardial infarction in women.

Answer 1

ANS: B, D
Once the research team has satisfactorily developed the interview protocol, they must pretest or pilot-test it, using subjects similar to those who will be included in their study. Pilot-testing will allow them to identify problems in the design of questions, sequencing of questions, or procedure for recording responses.The readability level of an instrument is a critical factor when selecting an instrument for a study. Regardless of how valid and reliable the instrument is, it cannot be used effectively if study participants do not understand the items. Calculating readability is relatively easy and can be performed in a few minutes. Many word processing programs and computerized grammar checkers will report the readability level of written material. Provision of a glossary is counter to the intent of the questionnaire, which is to assess knowledge of symptoms. Arranging for several radio and TV announcements will also undermine the purpose of the intent of the questionnaire. Q-sort methodology is a technique of comparative rating that preserves the subjective point of view of the individual. Using a Q-sort to decrease the number of questions will address length, not readability.