JSM 2005 Online Program

Abstract #303033

This is the preliminary program for the 2005 Joint Statistical Meetings in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Currently included in this program is the "technical" program, schedule of invited, topic contributed, regular contributed and poster sessions; Continuing Education courses (August 7-10, 2005); and Committee and Business Meetings. This on-line program will be updated frequently to reflect the most current revisions.

To View the Program:
You may choose to view all activities of the program or just parts of it at any one time. All activities are arranged by date and time.

The views expressed here are those of the individual authors
and not necessarily those of the ASA or its board, officers, or staff.

The Program has labeled the meeting rooms with "letters" preceding the name of the room, designating in which facility the room is located:

Minneapolis Convention Center = “MCC” Hilton Minneapolis Hotel = “H” Hyatt Regency Minneapolis = “HY”

Back to main JSM 2005 Program page

Legend:

= Applied Session,

= Theme Session,

= Presenter

Activity Number:	386
Type:	Topic Contributed
Date/Time:	Wednesday, August 10, 2005 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
Sponsor:	Section on Government Statistics
Abstract - #303033
Title:	Pre-testing Sensitive Questions: Perceived Sensitivity, Comprehension, and Order Effects of Questions about Income and Weight
Author(s):	Margaret Vernon*+
Companies:	Bureau of Labor Statistics
Address:	Office of Survey Methods Research, Washington, DC, 20212, United States
Keywords:	cognitive interviews ; survey development ; sensitive questions ; pre-testing
Abstract:	Several new questions dealing with eating habits, family income, eligibility for food stamps, and body mass index are being considered as a supplement to the American Time Use Survey. This paper discusses issues involved in pretesting sensitive questions while addressing concerns about increased burden and possible order effects in the core survey. New questions were pretested with two phases of cognitive interviews designed to assess comprehension, perceived sensitivity of questions, and order effects. Special attention was paid to the questions about income and weight as they were anticipated to be the most sensitive questions proposed for the supplement. Cognitive testing results suggested the income question was difficult for participants to respond to and was perceived to be the most sensitive question in the supplement, followed by weight. The second phase of testing randomly varied the order of income and weight to assess order effects in perceived sensitivity. Income was always perceived to be more sensitive than weight. Cognitive testing methods for new item development and results of testing will be discussed.

The address information is for the authors that have a + after their name.
Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.

Back to the full JSM 2005 program