[NIFL-HEALTH:4469] Questionnaire design for 'beyond the middle class'

From: Linda S. Potter (lspotter@att.net)
Date: Mon Jun 14 2004 - 16:54:49 EDT


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From: "Linda S. Potter" <lspotter@att.net>
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Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4469] Questionnaire design for 'beyond the middle class' 
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See http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/328/7453/1433?ecoll  for
"Reaching beyond the middle class--Hands on guide to questionnaire design."
This article from the June 2004 British Medical Journal also deals with
cultural issues and includes downloadable references as well.  Much of this
will be familiar to some of you but even then may be a good refresher.

Also about questionnaires and interviews though, I have to agree with Mark
Williams, who is one of the TOFHLA and S-TOFHLA developers and has long
personal experience using them. These tests can be especially valuable in
studies exploring causes and correlates of health problems and health
behaviors; in experimental studies comparing how well specific educational
interventions can work, and for whom; as well as what kind of presentation,
wording and format work best for different audiences and why. If the reason
for giving a functional health literacy test in such studies is explained
clearly to the participants, those taking it rightly feel they are making a
real contribution to others, not that they are being judged.  Much is in the
presentation.  I think the value of the test has to be considered one study
at a time and, of course, needs to be pretested--as does how to introduce
it.

Best,
Linda

*******************************************
Linda S. Potter, DrPH
56 N. Mill Road
Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
tel: 609-716-6365
lspotter@att.net

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