Training of interviewers Jan Smit Consultant Statistics Division

Training of interviewers Jan Smit Consultant Statistics Division, ESCAP With thanks to Wei Liu Training of interviewers 1 12/4/2020

Outline Overview of ESCAP/WHO project l Training of interviewers 2 12/4/2020

ESCAP/WHO project ESCAP/WHO Project on Improving Disability Data l 2004 -2006 l Goal: improve national disability statistics by applying the ICF framework and using international measurement standards l Training of interviewers 3 12/4/2020

ESCAP/WHO project (cont. ) Target group: statisticians and experts in disability from 20 countries l Expected outcome: capacity to produce better disability data that meet policy needs l Partners: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Washington Group l Training of interviewers 4 12/4/2020

Project countries 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 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. Indonesia 3. India 4. Mongolia 5. Philippines Training of interviewers 5 12/4/2020

Motivation for project Biwako Millennium Framework for Action (BMF) Principle 6 to “Strengthen national capacity in data collection and analysis concerning disability statistics” l However, many data issues within ESCAP region l Training of interviewers 6 12/4/2020

Regional disability data issues Data not available to inform policy l Disability prevalence is underestimated l Traditional view of disability prevails at every layer of societies, incl. government l No comparability of data; need for use of international standards and guidelines l Training of interviewers 7 12/4/2020

Lack of data comparability Training of interviewers 8 12/4/2020

Project components l Phase 1: Training in the use of ICF for disability collection, in standard methodologies and in design of collection tools l National action plans for improving disability information systems l Preparation of disability statistics training manual & material l Training of interviewers 9 12/4/2020

Project components l (cont. ) Phase 2: Field testing of standard sets of disability questions through identical protocols l Evaluation of results for application to real data collections l Building a network of experts l Training of interviewers 10 12/4/2020

Main project activities 4 regional workshops for advocating and training on the ICF approach and its implementation l Pilot testing of disability questionnaires for use in census and surveys and results analysis and dissemination l The ESCAP/WHO Disability Statistics Training Manual l Training of interviewers 11 12/4/2020

Interviewer training Methods and length l Interviewer selection l Interviewer training elements l Interviewing techniques l Training of interviewers 12 12/4/2020

Methods interviewer training Role play interviews l Interview with a real-life respondent l Review video-taped test interviews, if possible l Review of training material & and survey instruments l Length of training: 2 -3 days l Training of interviewers 13 12/4/2020

Selection of interviewers l Interviewing skills & experience more important than formal qualifications Disability questions should be clearly and simply worded l Therefore, no need for interviewers with medical background l Training of interviewers 14 12/4/2020

Interviewer training elements l Interviewer instructions Data collection objectives, incl. data use l Explanation of each question, incl. definitions & response categories l l Interviewer training course Ideally face-to-face l If to costly, home study of interviewer manual + exercises l l Address stereotypes & myths Training of interviewers 15 12/4/2020

Stereotypes & myths l People with disabilities are often viewed as: Incapable of participating in normal social life l Lacking skills or talents l Needing charity l Putting a strain on social resources l Training of interviewers 16 12/4/2020

Training therefore should… Review whether interviewers (perhaps unconsciously) share these views l Be dealt with if they exist l l l To eliminate interviewer bias Best discussed in the open during training sessions Training of interviewers 17 12/4/2020

Interviewing techniques Interviewing for disability surveys (or asking disability census question) much the same as with other surveys l Interviewer: l Introduces him/herself to respondents l Is prepared to answer questions from respondents l Follows a few simple rules for interviewing l Training of interviewers 18 12/4/2020

Introduction/gain rapport Interviewer introduces him/herself by name l Explains topic of survey (or census) l Explains for what reason survey is being conducted l Says how long (how many minutes) interview is going to last l Training of interviewers 19 12/4/2020

Questions respondents may ask l As with any survey: Where did you get my name? l Why did you choose me for this interview? l What kind of questions are you going to ask? l How long is interview going to last? (If not already mentioned) l What are you going to do with the data? l Training of interviewers 20 12/4/2020

Questions respondents may ask l Disability survey specific: I’m old, not disabled; why do you include me in your survey? l Why does the government spend money on a survey instead of on providing better services? l What services (for people with my disability) are offered? l Training of interviewers 21 12/4/2020

Simple rules for interviewing l Ask questions exactly as worded on questionnaire l Even slight word changes can change the response obtained Ask questions in the order they appear on the questionnaire l Ask every question in questionnaire l l Even if already answered while answering another question Training of interviewers 22 12/4/2020

Simple rules… l (cont. ) Wait for respondent to finish talking before starting to write Respondent might get upset otherwise l Interviewer may make mistakes l Don’t interrupt respondent, even if he hesitates or is quiet for a while l Don’t anticipate or assume answers l Training of interviewers 23 12/4/2020

Simple rules… (cont. ) If answer appears dubious and interviewer thinks the respondent doesn’t fully understand the question, repeat the question as written l Questions should be asked in a neutral tone; don’t say: l “You might not want to answer this question, but…” l “This question probably won’t make much sense to you…” l Training of interviewers 24 12/4/2020

Simple rules… (cont. ) l Stay professional and upbeat throughout the interview Even if respondent is difficult or uncooperative l Don’t get upset, stay courteous l l Thank respondent at the end of each interview for his time and cooperation Training of interviewers 25 12/4/2020

Disability specific interviewing l Some households might want to hide names or existence of children (or others) with disabilities l l All household members should be listed, of course Some people with disabilities might tire easily l 1 or more repeat visits might be necessary Training of interviewers 26 12/4/2020

Tips and tricks l Treat people with disabilities like anyone else Disability doesn’t change everything about a person! l Don’t hesitate to use: l Look and see with people who are blind or visually impaired l Listen and hear with people who are deaf or hard of hearing l Walk or run with people with mobility impairments l Training of interviewers 27 12/4/2020

Tips and tricks l (cont. ) Be respectful of people with disabilities Avoid stereotyping l Don’t patronize; don’t tell people with disabilities that you admire them l Don’t imply people with disabilities are child-like or of limited intelligence l Speak to respondent, not to sign language interpreter (if present) l Training of interviewers 28 12/4/2020

Tips and tricks l (cont. ) Be aware of, and accommodate, communication difficulties Persons who are deaf may be able to lip read and converse orally l Persons with a speech impairment may be unclear at first; ask to repeat themselves (they are probably used to it) l Training of interviewers 29 12/4/2020

Tips and tricks l (cont. ) Accommodate the deaf and hearingimpaired respondent Some visual sign may be needed to draw attention of respondent l Only speak more loudly or slowly when requested by respondent (he/she may be able to lip-read) l Body language and facial expressions are important l Training of interviewers 30 12/4/2020

Tips and tricks l (cont. ) Accommodate the blind and visuallyimpaired respondent Address respondent by name to make clear he/she is being addressed l If Braille material is used, be aware that not all blind respondents can read Braille l Training of interviewers 31 12/4/2020

Tips and tricks l (cont. ) Accommodate respondents with intellectual impairments Respondents may need more time to understand questions; don’t rush and repeat if necessary l Don’t treat respondents like children l Be aware that some respondents may be anxious to please (by giving ‘right’ answers) l Training of interviewers 32 12/4/2020

Interviewing in institutions l Presents additional problems that needed to be planned for in advance Schedule appointments (with institution’s staff members) in advance l Be prepared for the unpredictable l Training of interviewers 33 12/4/2020