Work

Collecting psychosocial self-report data in oral health research: impact of literacy level and computerised administration.

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: In oral and other health research, participant literacy levels may impact the quality of data obtained through self-report (e.g., degree of data missingness). This study addressed whether computerized administration of a battery of psychosocial instruments used in an oral health disparities research protocol yielded more complete data than paper-and-pencil administration and aimed to determine the role of general literacy in differences in data missingness between administration types. DESIGN: Oral health data were obtained from 1,652 adolescent and adult participants who were administered a large questionnaire battery via either paper-and-pencil or tablet personal computer. Number of unanswered items for each participant was compared across administration mode. For a subset of 171 participants who were randomized to one of the administration modes, general literacy and satisfaction with the questionnaire experience also were assessed. RESULTS: ≥ .29). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a certain type of data missingness may be decreased through the use of a tablet computer for questionnaire administration.

Source: PubMed

Authors: Cameron L Randall, Daniel W McNeil, Richard J Crout, Robert J Weyant, Mary L Marazita

Institutions: West Virginia University, University of Pittsburgh

Language: English

Topic: Survey Methodology and Nonresponse

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Award: Factors Contributing to Oral Health Disparities in Appalachia