interviewer training overview: p riorities for l ocal a ids c ontrol e fforts

Interviewer Training Overview:

Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts

Conduct PLACE assessment in <PPA>

2. Identify venues where people meet new partners∆ Community Informant Questionnaire (Form A)∆ Venue and Event Report (Form B)

3. Visit, characterize, map all venues ∆ Venue Verification Form (Form C)

4. Find out if there are many new sexual partnerships formed at venues∆ Questionnaire for Individuals Socializing at Venues

(Form D)

PLACE Assessment Data Collection

Community Informant QuestionnaireRecords characteristics of community informants

Venue and Event ReportRecords information about each venue (location) or event (such as a

festival or sporting event) that a community informant reports

Venue Verification FormRecords information about a venue from interview with responsible

person at each venue (manager or owner)

Questionnaire for Individuals Socializing at VenuesRecords information about individuals at venues

PLACE Assessment Data Collection

The Importance of Data Confidentiality

Confidentiality of the Survey Information

It is the responsibility of interviewers to protect the confidentiality of the people involved in the study

∆ Avoid leaving documents where they can be seen by unauthorized persons

∆ Avoid discussing the survey in a public setting where you may be overheard

Confidentiality of the Survey Information

Keep what you learn during an interview strictly confidential

General Interview Instructions to Keep in Mind

General Interview Instructions:Be Prepared

∆ Make sure you understand each questionnaire very well and that you can use it easily and correctly

∆ Review questionnaires until you feel confident and comfortable with them

Fumbling can cause the respondent to lose confidence in you

∆ Make sure you have all materials with you before heading to the field

General Interview Instructions:Establish Good Rapport and Stay Neutral

∆ A successful interview is founded on a good relationship with the respondent

∆ Show that you are an understanding and friendly person

General Interview Instructions:Establish Good Rapport and Stay Neutral

∆ Avoid seeming bored, uninterested, or hostile

∆ Do not allow your words, tone of voice, or body language to convey “judgment”

∆ Remain friendly but neutral; avoid acting surprised, critical, approving, or disapproving

General Interview Instructions:Asking the Questions

∆ Ask the questions in order

∆ Avoid showing questionnaire to the respondent

Respondents may be influenced by knowing that questions are coming next or by seeing answer categories

∆ Conduct the interview in privacy

If others are observing, respondents may change the way they answer

General Interview Instructions:Art of Probing

Probing serves three main functions...

∆ To encourage the person being interviewed to give more information, be more clear, or finish up an answer

∆ To discourage the person being interviewed from giving irrelevant information

∆ To improve rapport by indicating that you (the interviewer) are paying attention

General Interview Instructions:Art of Probing

When else should you use a probe?

∆ If a respondent has trouble putting his/her thoughts into words

∆ If a respondent is hesitant about giving you certain information

General Interview Instructions:Art of Probing

Probes you can use:

∆ Repeat the question you just asked

∆ Repeat what the person being interviewed said last

∆ Say “Anything else?” for questions where more than one response is possible

∆ Ask neutral questions like “What do you mean?”

∆ Non-verbal cues (pause, look, or nod) to give the person time to gather his or her thoughts

General Interview Instructions:What to Do with “Don’t Know” Responses

People say “I don’t know” when they:

∆ Do not understand the question

∆ Feel uncomfortable answering

∆ Really don’t know the answer

General Interview Instructions:What to Do with “Don’t Know” Responses

Probing helps to avoid “don’t know” answers:

∆ Repeat the question

∆ Sit quietly and wait

∆ Say, “Well, what do you think?” or “I just want your own ideas.”

∆ Try to probe at least once

General Interview Instructions:What to Do with “Don’t Know” Responses

∆ Don’t try and force an answer; stop right away if the respondent becomes irritated or annoyed

General Interview Instructions:Controlling the Interview

It is important to maintain control of the interview so it can be completed on time and in order

If a respondent provides information that will be covered later in the interview, you can:

∆ Politely tell the respondent that you must ask other questions first

∆ Write down the information and confirm it at the appropriate stage of the interview

General Interview Instructions:Ending the Interview

∆ Tell the respondent that you are grateful for his or her very helpful cooperation

∆ Immediately check the questionnaire to make sure it is complete; if answers are skipped or are not clearly marked, follow-up with the respondent right away

General Fieldwork Reminders

Tips for Fieldwork Success:

∆ Re-read the manual often to refresh your memory!

∆ Carry the manual with you to the field in case questions arise.

Tips for Fieldwork Success:

∆ Remember to practice and make sure you are comfortable with the questionnaires

∆ Be polite to everyone you meet

Tips for Fieldwork Success:

∆ Complete the first page of a questionnaire, even if the respondent refuses to go further

∆ Ask questions in a clear and simple manner and in the order they appear in the questionnaire

∆ Make sure to record answers accurately and legibly

∆ If you are unsure about a response, probe in a neutral manner

Tips for Fieldwork Success:

Tips for Fieldwork Success:

∆ Protect the questionnaires from dirt or damage

∆ Ask the field coordinator about any questions, problems, or difficulties you may have

∆ Remember to keep all survey and questionnaire information confidential!

Things to Avoid:

∆ Do not phrase questions in a way that suggests answers

∆ Do not put words in the mouth of the respondent, or lead the respondent towards your viewpoint

∆ Do not reveal your judgments or opinions about respondents

∆ Don’t leave any response column blank!

∆ If there is a problem with any part of a questionnaire, write “CANCELLED” across the page and use a fresh questionnaire

∆ Hand all questionnaires back to your supervisor, including those that are unused or partially used

Things to Avoid:

CANC

ELLE

D

Things to Avoid to Maintain Confidentiality:

∆ Do not allow people to observe the interview, and especially do not allow any person to answer on behalf of the respondent

∆ Do not show the individual questionnaire form to the respondent or to any unauthorized person (this includes before, during, or after an interview)

∆ Do not leak any names or interview information in any way, whether knowingly or by accident

And, Finally…

Do not combine your survey work with personal causes or activities for personal gain:

∆ Canvassing for political or religious organizations

∆ Canvassing for other organizations

End of Interviewer Training Overview