New approaches to the design of computerized interviewing and testing systems

Abstract

Most computer interviewing and testing systems have adopted paper-and-pencil approaches to information gathering with little modification. However, computer technology offers two fundamental advantages over paper-and-pencil technology for psychological information gathering: (1) A computer can record ancillary data such as latencies and pressure on response keys during an interviewing session, and (2) A computer can react adaptively to special events as these arise during a session. Ways to capitalize on these advantages are outlined. A pilot study of interviewee behavior during a computer problem-screening interview is described, and the implications of the results for future research in the area are discussed. Passive and active computer testing systems occupy positions on a continuum between paperbased psychological testing and the flexible, but less well controlled, technology represented by the human. With its unique capabilities, computer technology has a special role to play in the future of psychological measurement.

Computer interactive interviewing in survey research

“…Another set of issues revolve around the expressed liking of the procedure by those who choose to participate. On that count, several studies (Erdman, Klein and Greist, 1983;McBrien, 1984;O'Brien and Dugdale, 1978;Stout, 1981;Waterton and Duffy, 1984) report that respondents are generally more favorable towards that mode vis-his paper-and-pencil surveys. Further studies should be conducted to ascertain the factors underlying the reactions of respondents to electronic surveys especially as the novelty of the procedure diminishes.…”

Systems for multivariate monitoring of behavioral status over time

“…Furthermore, they make the subject's task easier by omitting logically irrelevant questions. Advanced systems may provide even more benefits (Stout, 1981;Stout, Kriebel, & McCullough, 1981). Nonetheless, current techniques provide only a partial answer to the problem of optimally managing information-gathering in follow-up interviewing.…”

Applied Computer Diagnostics — Theoretical Foundations and Future Perspectives

“…Thus, with the use of computers within psychological diagnostics, the technical presuppositions are given for as-sessing psychologically relevant data and gathering of additional information. Such information can include any passive or active reaction (Stout 1980), waiting periods (Dunn et al 1972;McLennan et al 1988), false reactions, subsequent corrections, and time needed for such. However, there is still lacking a psychological theory that allows the derivation and reasonable analysis of such data.…”

“…These social-situation influences on the diagnosed person (and the diagnostician: Booth 1988) should not be eliminatedneither by definition nor by creating 'artificial' situations, as will be shown later by the example of treatment-oriented diagnostics. Rather, these effects should be explicitly stated as research topics (Strack 1994;Strack and Martin 1987), and the possibilities of using them within diagnostic and/or therapeutic processes should be investigated (Krieger 1994).…”

“…Fischer (1994) follows a new way of proving equivalence led by hypotheses. Based on the model of information processing within an exploration situation by Strack (1994) and a priori-postulated contextual effects for single items and scales, Fischer compares the paperand-pencil and the computer versions of the Questionnaire of Health Behavior (Frugebogen zur Erfassung des Gesundheifsverhultens (FEG); Dlugosch and Krieger 1995). Whilst high equivalence between the computer and the paper-and-pencil version was found in quite a few areas, strong context effect could be shown for questions presented contiguously in the questionnaire in contrast to presentation of individual items on the computer.…”