Visual analogue scales for mode-independent measurement in self-administered questionnaires

Previous research has shown evidence for mode differences between computer-assisted self-administered interviews (CASI) and paper-and-pencil interviews, especially in the case of sensitive questions. Some of these differences are explained by higher degrees of self-disclosure for CASI than for paper-and-pencil interviews, due to the more private situation with CASIs. This analysis examines the existence of different degrees of selfdisclosure for CASI versus paper-and-pencil questionnaires and whether these differences can be reduced by the use of a specific response format. Judgments of items on a self-control scale with discrete 5-point (Likert-type) scales are compared with judgments on continuous visual analogue scales (VAS). Because a categorization effect for Likert-type items is assumed when pressure for social desirability is present, it is hypothesized that VAS compared to Likert-type response formats are less sensitive to mode differences.

[1]  Don A. Dillman,et al.  Survey Mode as a Source of Instability in Responses across Surveys , 2005 .

[2]  M. Black,et al.  Computer-Administered Interviews With Children About Maltreatment , 2000 .

[3]  S. M. Rogers,et al.  Adolescent sexual behavior, drug use, and violence: increased reporting with computer survey technology. , 1998, Science.

[4]  S. Schneider,et al.  Developing Usability Guidelines for AudioCasi Respondents with Limited Literacy Skills , 2000 .

[5]  Tom W. Smith,et al.  ASKING SENSITIVE QUESTIONS THE IMPACT OF DATA COLLECTION MODE, QUESTION FORMAT, AND QUESTION CONTEXT , 1996 .

[6]  William L. Nicholls,et al.  The Effect of New Data Collection Technologies on Survey Data Quality , 1997 .

[7]  R Stratton,et al.  The use of visual analogue scales to assess motivation to eat in human subjects: a review of their reliability and validity with an evaluation of new hand-held computerized systems for temporal tracking of appetite ratings , 2000, British Journal of Nutrition.

[8]  E. D. Leeuw,et al.  The Effect of Computer-Assisted Interviewing on Data Quality : A Review of the Evidence , 1995 .

[9]  S. McKelvie,et al.  Graphic rating scales — How many categories? , 1978 .

[10]  Paul van Schaik,et al.  A Comparison of Multi-Item Likert and Visual Analogue Scales for the Assessment of Transactionally Defined Coping Function , 2004 .

[11]  J. Hox,et al.  Overcoming the problems of special interviews on sensitive topics: computer-assisted interviewing tailored for young children and adolescents , 1997 .

[12]  Suzanne P. Weisband,et al.  Self disclosure on computer forms: meta-analysis and implications , 1996, CHI.

[13]  J. Fellinger,et al.  An innovative and reliable way of measuring health-related quality of life and mental distress in the deaf community , 2005, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.

[14]  Jacob Cohen Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences , 1969, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design.

[15]  Sabina Kef,et al.  Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing Tailored for Special Populations and Topics , 2003 .

[16]  J. Hartigan,et al.  The runt test for multimodality , 1992 .

[17]  Fritz Drasgow,et al.  A Meta-Analytic Study of Social Desirability Distortion in Computer- Administered Questionnaires, Traditional Questionnaires, and Interviews , 1999 .

[18]  Howard Wainer,et al.  Computerized Adaptive Testing: A Primer , 2000 .

[19]  Charles F Turner,et al.  AUDIO AND VIDEO COMPUTER-ASSISTED SELF INTERVIEWING: Preliminary Tests of New Technologies for Data Collection. , 1994, Journal of official statistics.

[20]  D. Dillman Mail and internet surveys: The tailored design method, 2nd ed. , 2007 .

[21]  Joachim Gerich,et al.  Egozentrierte Netzwerkerhebung mittels selbstadministrierter Computerinterviews , 2003 .

[22]  G. Brunier,et al.  A comparison of two methods of measuring fatigue in patients on chronic haemodialysis: visual analogue vs Likert scale. , 1996, International journal of nursing studies.