Standardised Approach for Fielding Questions During Survey Conducted With Secondary School Students
Some students ask questions relating to their understanding of the question or the response required.
The teacher(s) should not be involved in explaining about the study or the method of answering questions. This must be the responsibility of the ISAAC research field worker(s) who have been carefully briefed.
The principles to follow are:
Speak only to the individual child who has the problem (identified by a raised hand). The first step is to read the written question aloud verbatim.
If the child is still unable to answer the question, the next step is to encourage them to think about the meaning.
If the child is still unable to answer the question, the next step is to give a little information without explaining the response required.
If the child is still unable to answer the question, the last step is to state that if the student really does not know how to respond, they should leave it blank.
If a child with learning difficulties has a helper who wishes to assist that child, the above guidelines should be followed.
Examples for questions which commonly cause difficulty:
Question 1
Have you ever had wheezing or whistling in the chest at any time in the past?
Stage One
Student response: "What is wheezing or whistling?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Have you ever had wheezing or whistling in the chest at any time in the past?" (i.e. read verbatim the written question).Stage Two
Student response: "What is wheezing or whistling?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Words mean different things to different people. I want to know what you understand by this. Interpret it the best you can."Stage Three
Student response: "I don't understand wheezing or whistling."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Wheezing or whistling is related to your breathing. You would probably know if you have had it."Stage Four
Student response: "I still don't understand this. I don't know if I have ever had it."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"If you really don't know then leave it blank."
Question 6
Have you ever had asthma?
Stage One
Student response: "What is asthma?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Have you ever had asthma?" (i.e. read verbatim the written question).Stage Two
Student response: "What is asthma?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Words mean different things to different people. I want to know what you understand by this. Interpret it the best you can."Stage Three
Student response: "I don't understand `asthma'."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Asthma is related to your breathing. You would probably know if you have had it."Stage Four
Student response: "I still don't understand this. I don't know if I have had it."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"If you really don't know then leave it blank."
Question 8
"In the last 12 months have you had a dry cough, apart from a cough associated with a cold or chest infection?
Stage One
Student response: "What a dry cough?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"In the last 12 months have you had a dry cough, apart from a cough associated with a cold or chest infection?" (i.e. read verbatim the written question).Stage Two
Student response: "What is a dry cough?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Words mean different things to different people. I want to know what you understand by this. Interpret it the best you can."Stage Three
Student response: "I don't understand a dry cough."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"It is not a wet one. There is no phlegm. It is just a dry cough. You would probably know if you have had it."Stage Four
Student response: "I still don't understand this. I don't know if I have had it."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"If you really don't know then leave it blank."
Question 12
In which of the past 12 months did this nose problem occur?
Stage One
Student response: "I can't remember."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"In which of the past 12 months did this nose problem occur??" (i.e. read verbatim the written question).Stage Two
Student response: " can't remember."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Think hard about this. Interpret it the best you can."Stage Three
Student response: "I still can't remember."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Try and remember, did you have it in January (e.g. summer holidays)?
February (e.g. when school started at the beginning of the year)?
March (e.g. Easter)?
April?
May (e.g. did you have it in the May holidays)?
June?
July?
August (e.g. did you have it in the August holidays)?
September?
October?
November?
December (e.g. around Christmas time)?"Stage Four
Student response: "I still can't remember when I have had it."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"If you really don't know then leave it blank."
Question 14
Have you ever had hayfever?
Stage One
Student response: "What is hayfever?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Have you ever had hayfever?" (i.e. read verbatim the written question).Stage Two
Student response: "What is a hayfever?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Words mean different things to different people. I want to know what you understand by this. Interpret it the best you can."Stage Three
Student response: "I don't understand hayfever."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Hayfever affects your nose. You would probably know if you have had it."Stage Four
Student response: "I still don't understand this. I don't know if I have had it."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"If you really don't know then leave it blank."
Question 20
Have you ever had eczema?
Stage One
Student response: "What is eczema?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Have you ever had eczema?" (i.e. read verbatim the written question).Stage Two
Student response: "What is a eczema?"
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Words mean different things to different people. I want to know what you understand by this. Interpret it the best you can."Stage Three
Student response: "I don't understand eczema."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"Eczema affects your skin. You would probably know if you have had it."Stage Four
Student response: "I still don't understand this. I don't know if I have had it."
Researcher response to individual child only, say aloud but in a quiet voice:
"If you really don't know then leave it blank."
The ISAAC Phase One Field Guide was prepared by Philippa Ellwood. Please contact Mrs Ellwood if you have any questions regarding the guide.
