Cognitive Testing of New Questions for Surveys and Questionnaires on Tobacco

Principal Investigator: Jennifer Alexander and Greta Tessman

Funding Mechanism: Research Contract

ID number: HHSF223201110005B

Award Date: 9/19/2012

Institution: RTI

Surveys and questionnaires related to tobacco use and perceptions are critical for generating data that can inform regulatory and public education activities geared toward improving the public health. The purpose of this project is to conduct a series of cognitive interviews with consumers that will inform the development of tobacco-related surveys and questionnaires. Questions tested will relate to various tobacco products as well as user perceptions and behaviors. The objectives of the cognitive interviews are: (1) to determine the developmental appropriateness and comprehension of questions; (2) to understand how new or revised questions affect the usability of existing surveys and questionnaires; and (3) to provide insights that may be used to improve the questions and survey questionnaires as needed. Interviews with approximately 45 youth and adults can be conducted under this contract. This research may inform the development of questionnaires used in experimental studies as well as national tobacco surveys.