Perceived Quality of Life – Individual Interviews Every ‘data collection’ visit begins with the person. Every visit must include an attempt to speak directly with the focus person, preferably in private. There are hundreds of such interview questionnaires extant. We do not believe that any have proven superior – either in content or psychometrics – to the simple approach that has emerged from our 40 years of work asking these crucial questions. The way the questions are asked, however, is very important. ‘Yes/No’ questions should be avoided. They are extremely unreliable. The problem of ‘Response Acquiescence’ was noted as early as the 1980s by Sigelman and colleagues. People who live or work in situations where compliance is expected will have a tendency to answer ‘Yes’ to any and all questions. ‘When in Doubt, Say Yes’ is the classic article.1 Much more accurate five point responses can be obtained in a very simple and clear interview method, used and documented by COA research over decades. The general instructions used by COA are reproduced below as an example of procedure. INSTRUCTIONS
These questions must be directed toward the person, but can be answered with help from whoever knows the person best on a day to day basis. Preferably in private. Keep it informal. Begin with the usual social niceties that you would expect from any visitor to your home. How are you, telling about yourself, comments on the home, etc. Ask each question as an Either-Or inquiry, followed by another Either-Or probe for more detail. Example: Ask “How do you feel about living here, Good or Bad?” If the person answers “Good,” then you probe with “OK, would you say Good or Very Good?” On our 5 point scales, a 4 is Good and a 5 is Very Good. If the person answers “I don't know,” or “Not sure,” or some indefinite answer, probe with “Do you feel on the good or bad side?” If no preference, stick with “Fair,” which we will interpret to mean ‘In Between’ – which is a ‘3’ on a 1 to 5 point scale. Tell the person this interview is VOLUNTARY. Say that he/she does NOT HAVE TO talk to you. Even if he/she agrees to the interview, he/she can stop at any time, for any reason. This scale can be used very appropriately and successfully with families. Comparisons of
perceptions can yield crucial insights into the meaning of ‘better off’ to the people themselves and to their relatives. The two are not always the same.
1
Sigelman, C.K., Budd, E.C., Spanhel, C.L., Schoenrock, C.J. (1981). When in doubt, say yes: Acquiescence in interviews with mentally retarded persons. Mental Retardation, 19, 53-58. 10
