Focus on Methodology: Beyond paper and pencil: Conducting computer-assisted data collection with adolescents in group settings.
Computer-assisted data collection offers advantages over traditional paper and pencil measures; however, little guidance is available regarding the logistics of conducting computer-assisted data collection with adolescents in group settings. To address this gap, we draw on our experiences conducting a multi-site longitudinal study of adolescent development. Structured questionnaires programmed on laptop computers using Audio Computer Assisted Self-Interviewing (ACASI) were administered to groups of adolescents in community-based and afterschool programs. Although implementing ACASI required additional work before entering the field, we benefited from reduced data processing time, high data quality, and high levels of youth motivation. Preliminary findings from an ethnically diverse sample of 265 youth indicate favorable perceptions of using ACASI. Using our experiences as a case study, we provide recommendations on selecting an appropriate data collection device (including hardware and software), preparing and testing the ACASI, conducting data collection in the field, and managing data.
['Raffaelli|Marcela|M|', 'Armstrong|Jessica|J|', 'Tran|Steve P|SP|', 'Griffith|Aisha N|AN|', 'Walker|Kathrin|K|', 'Gutierrez|Vanessa|V|']
D000293:Adolescent D041923:Adolescent Development D003201:Computers D003625:Data Collection D005260:Female D006126:Group Processes D006801:Humans D008137:Longitudinal Studies D008297:Male D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Methodology Computer-assisted data collection Adolescents Questionnaires ACASI