Between January - March 2002 Social Survey Division (SSD) of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) carried out a survey of the development and well-being of children and adolescents looked after by local authorities. Looked after children are either in the care of or accommodated by Local Authority Social Service Departments. The survey questionnaire includes a substantial set of sensitive questions asked using audio-computer assisted self-interviewing (CASI).
Gaining any young persons co-operation in a survey is problematic, however, using audio-CASI with this particular sample will be especially challenging. Looked after children are relatively more likely, than other young people, to have conduct disorders, emotional problems or hyperactivity.
This paper will focus on usability and the practical aspects of using audio-CASI with this group of young people. The main source of information for the paper is interviewers and respondents. Respondents were asked a short set of questions about audio-CASI at the end of their face to face interview. Feedback from interviewers was collected at a face to face debrief session.
Usability issues that we think will be of particular interest in this situation are screen layout, provision of on screen and audio instructions, level of detail and frequency of instructions, length of interview and type of voice. Practical issues such as labelling keys and voice recording will also be considered.
This paper will assess the benefits of using audio-CASI as a mode of interviewing amongst this particular group of young people. Conclusions made in this paper could also be related to other challenging groups of respondents.
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