RE: [NIFL-HEALTH:3290] Field test questions

From: Jann Keenan (jkeenan@erols.com)
Date: Wed Aug 22 2001 - 19:10:52 EDT


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From: "Jann Keenan" <jkeenan@erols.com>
To: <nifl-health@nifl.gov>, "Multiple recipients of list" <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: RE: [NIFL-HEALTH:3290] Field test questions
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2001 16:10:52 -0700
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Hello Kristina. Thanks for sharing your field testing questions for native
Spanish speakers with our list. I am wondering how questions 3 and 4 went
over with your participants. I do a good bit of field testing and shy away
from asking "Do you understand" or "Can you read" types of questions because
they can put people with emergent or unseasoned reading skills ill at ease.
How did folks respond to those questions? I look for body language and eye
contact to read comfort level of participants.

Also--I find it helpful to ask people something along the lines "Tell me
like you were talking to your sister, what are some special herbs you'd use
to make . . ." The familiar approach can take the threat out of the
interview situation. And I build in several minutes of just pleasant
exchange about their families to let the participant know I care about them
as people prior to asking any questions.

When training at workshops, I call this filed interview technique "Going
fishin'" where both parties seek common ground-- be it how well the person
deals with their child to the neat sweater they are wearing. Setting the
stage for comfort seems to bring out more in-depth answers from folks.

I also try to build in a bit of time to pre-test my field test questions
with a handful of people from the intended audience. It generally yields a
good tweak or two. Hope these tried and true tips help. I wish you good luck
with your projects.


Regards,
Jann Keenan, Ed.S.
President, The Keenan Group, Inc.
9862 Century Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21042
410-480-9716
www.keenangroupinc.com







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