survey language advice

[balmofgilead]

I'm editing questions for a study questionnaire that will be administered via computer, over the internet. Many of the people participating will be teenagers, so we're trying to make it as straightforward as possible.  For medicines (like certain antibiotics), we're asking them whether they take it, and then, in separate questions, how strong each

Comments

[meteoricpath]

I agree with most of the above. I would only add that it is important to keep in mind the goal of the analysis as much as possible when you are creating the survey. You need to balance the length of the questionnaire (longer it is the more likely people will either rush through or not complete) with the need for precise information. For example, why is it important that you need the exact dosing? Do you need to know exactly what people are taking and when? If so then a complex question tree with skips is the best way to go.

You can always ask a generic "How much of this medicine do you take?" with a drop down of choices for milligrams, micrograms, etc. which can include liquid doses and dry (pill, capsule) forms. Or, if you need to be very precise you can split it into pills versus liquid medicines: "If this medicine is in pill form, how many pills do you take at once?" followed by "How many times a day do you take this?"

I've found the rule of thumb with survey phrasing is to use simple language combined with precise enough answer choices to get your message across. And pilot pilot pilot... People can come up with interpretations to things you wouldn't ever think up!