Training of interviewers

Jan Smit Consultant Statistics Division, ESCAP With thanks to Wei Liu Training of interviewers 1 24/04/2020

Outline

  Overview of ESCAP/WHO project Training of interviewers Training of interviewers 2 24/04/2020

ESCAP/WHO project

   ESCAP/WHO Project on Improving Disability Data 2004-2006 Goal : improve national disability statistics by applying the ICF framework and using international measurement standards Training of interviewers 3 24/04/2020

ESCAP/WHO project

(cont.)    Target group : statisticians and experts in disability from 20 countries Expected outcome meet policy needs : capacity to produce better disability data that Partners : Australian Bureau of Statistics, Washington Group Training of interviewers 4 24/04/2020

Project countries

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Afghanistan Brunei Darussalam Cambodia China DPR Korea Islamic Republic of Iran Japan Hong Kong, China Laos Macao, China Republic of Korea Singapore Sri Lanka Thailand Vietnam Taking part in pilot test 1.

Fiji 2.

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Indonesia India Mongolia Philippines

Training of interviewers 5 24/04/2020

Motivation for project

  Biwako Millennium Framework for Action (BMF) Principle 6 to “Strengthen national capacity in data collection and analysis concerning disability statistics” However, many data issues within ESCAP region Training of interviewers 6 24/04/2020

Regional disability data issues

    Data not available to inform policy Disability prevalence is underestimated Traditional view of disability prevails at every layer of societies, incl. government No comparability of data; need for use of international standards and guidelines Training of interviewers 7 24/04/2020

Lack of data comparability

Prevalence of persons with disabilities in Asian and Pacific Countries (%)

25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 1985 Admin.

Records 1981 Census 1982 Survey 2000 Census 1995 Census 2001 Survey 1986 Survey Singapore Pakistan BangladeshPhilippines Philippines Thailand Sri Lanka 2001 Census India 2002 Survey Turkey 2000 Survey 2005 Survey Hong Kong Korea (Republic of) 1987 Survey 2002 Survey China Japan 2001 Survey 2003 Survey New Zealand Australia Training of interviewers 8 24/04/2020

Project components

 Phase 1:  Training in the use of ICF for disability collection, in standard methodologies and in design of collection tools  National action plans for improving disability information systems  Preparation of disability statistics training manual & material Training of interviewers 9 24/04/2020

Project components

(cont.)  Phase 2:  Field testing of standard sets of disability questions through identical protocols  Evaluation of results for application to real data collections  Building a network of experts Training of interviewers 10 24/04/2020

Main project activities

   4 regional workshops for advocating and training on the ICF approach and its implementation Pilot testing of disability questionnaires for use in census and surveys and results analysis and dissemination The ESCAP/WHO Disability Statistics Training Manual Training of interviewers 11 24/04/2020

Interviewer training

    Methods and length Interviewer selection Interviewer training elements Interviewing techniques Training of interviewers 12 24/04/2020

Methods interviewer training

     Role play interviews Interview with a real-life respondent Review video-taped test interviews, if possible Review of training material & and survey instruments Length of training: 2-3 days Training of interviewers 13 24/04/2020

Selection of interviewers

 Interviewing skills & experience more important than formal qualifications  Disability questions should be clearly and simply worded  Therefore, no need for interviewers with medical background Training of interviewers 14 24/04/2020

Interviewer training elements

   Interviewer instructions  Data collection objectives, incl. data use  Explanation of each question, incl. definitions & response categories Interviewer training course  Ideally face-to-face  If to costly, home study of interviewer manual + exercises Address stereotypes & myths Training of interviewers 15 24/04/2020

Stereotypes & myths

 People with disabilities are often viewed as:  Incapable of participating in normal social life  Lacking skills or talents  Needing charity  Putting a strain on social resources Training of interviewers 16 24/04/2020

Training therefore should…

   Review whether interviewers (perhaps unconsciously) share these views Be dealt with if they exist  To eliminate interviewer bias Best discussed in the open during training sessions Training of interviewers 17 24/04/2020

Interviewing techniques

  Interviewing for disability surveys (or asking disability census question) much the same as with other surveys Interviewer:  Introduces him/herself to respondents  Is prepared to answer questions from respondents  Follows a few simple rules for interviewing Training of interviewers 18 24/04/2020

Introduction/gain rapport

    Interviewer introduces him/herself by name Explains topic of survey (or census) Explains for what reason survey is being conducted Says how long (how many minutes) interview is going to last Training of interviewers 19 24/04/2020

Questions respondents may ask

 As with any survey:  Where did you get my name?

 Why did you choose me for this interview?

 What kind of questions are you going to ask?

 How long is interview going to last? (If not already mentioned)  What are you going to do with the data?

Training of interviewers 20 24/04/2020

Questions respondents may ask

 Disability survey specific:  I’m old, not disabled; why do you include me in your survey?

 Why does the government spend money on a survey instead of on providing better services?

 What services (for people with my disability) are offered?

Training of interviewers 21 24/04/2020

Simple rules for interviewing

   Ask questions exactly as worded on questionnaire  Even slight word changes can change the response obtained Ask questions in the order they appear on the questionnaire Ask every question in questionnaire  Even if already answered while answering another question Training of interviewers 22 24/04/2020

Simple rules…

(cont.)    Wait for respondent to finish talking before starting to write  Respondent might get upset otherwise  Interviewer may make mistakes Don’t interrupt respondent, even if he hesitates or is quiet for a while Don’t anticipate or assume answers Training of interviewers 23 24/04/2020

Simple rules…

(cont.)   If answer appears dubious and interviewer thinks the respondent doesn’t fully understand the question, repeat the question as written Questions should be asked in a neutral tone; don’t say:  “You might not want to answer this question, but…”  “This question probably won’t make much sense to you…” Training of interviewers 24 24/04/2020

Simple rules…

(cont.)   Stay professional and upbeat throughout the interview  Even if respondent is difficult or uncooperative  Don’t get upset, stay courteous Thank respondent at the end of each interview for his time and co operation Training of interviewers 25 24/04/2020

Disability specific interviewing

  Some households might want to hide names or existence of children (or others) with disabilities  All household members should be listed, of course Some people with disabilities might tire easily  1 or more repeat visits might be necessary Training of interviewers 26 24/04/2020

Tips and tricks

 Treat people with disabilities like anyone else  Disability doesn’t change everything about a person!

 Don’t hesitate to use:  Look and see with people who are blind or visually impaired  Listen and hear hard of hearing with people who are deaf or  Walk or run impairments with people with mobility Training of interviewers 27 24/04/2020

Tips and tricks

(cont.)  Be respectful of people with disabilities  Avoid stereotyping  Don’t patronize; don’t tell people with disabilities that you admire them  Don’t imply people with disabilities are child-like or of limited intelligence  Speak to respondent, not to sign language interpreter (if present) Training of interviewers 28 24/04/2020

Tips and tricks

(cont.)  Be aware of, and accommodate, communication difficulties  Persons who are deaf may be able to lip read and converse orally  Persons with a speech impairment may be unclear at first; ask to repeat themselves (they are probably used to it) Training of interviewers 29 24/04/2020

Tips and tricks

(cont.)  Accommodate the deaf and hearing impaired respondent  Some visual sign may be needed to draw attention of respondent  Only speak more loudly or slowly when requested by respondent (he/she may be able to lip-read)  Body language and facial expressions are important Training of interviewers 30 24/04/2020

Tips and tricks

(cont.)  Accommodate the blind and visually impaired respondent  Address respondent by name to make clear he/she is being addressed  If Braille material is used, be aware that not all blind respondents can read Braille Training of interviewers 31 24/04/2020

Tips and tricks

(cont.)  Accommodate respondents with intellectual impairments  Respondents may need more time to understand questions; don’t rush and repeat if necessary  Don’t treat respondents like children  Be aware that some respondents may be anxious to please (by giving ‘right’ answers) Training of interviewers 32 24/04/2020

Interviewing in institutions

 Presents additional problems that needed to be planned for in advance  Schedule appointments (with institution’s staff members) in advance  Be prepared for the unpredictable Training of interviewers 33 24/04/2020