TY - JOUR
T1 - Using cognitive interviews to enhance measurement in empirical bioethics
T2 - Developing a measure of the preventive misconception in biomedical HIV prevention trials
AU - Sugarman, Jeremy
AU - Seils, Damon M.
AU - Watson-Ormond, J. Kemp
AU - Weinfurt, Kevin P.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2016/1/2
Y1 - 2016/1/2
N2 - Background: We describe our use of cognitive interviews in developing a measure of “preventive misconception” to demonstrate the importance of this approach to researchers developing surveys in empirical bioethics. The preventive misconception involves research participants' false beliefs about a prevention trial, including beliefs that the interventions being tested will certainly be effective. Methods: We developed and refined a measure of the preventive misconception using qualitative interviews that focused on cognitive testing of proposed survey items with HIV prevention trial participants. Results: Two main problems emerged during initial interviews. First, the phrase “reduce your risk,” used to elicit beliefs about risk reduction from the use of study medications, was interpreted as relating to a reduction of risky behaviors. Second, the phrase “participating in this study,” intended to elicit beliefs about trial group assignment, was interpreted as relating to personal behavior changes associated with study participation. Additional interviews using a revised measure were no longer problematic in these ways, and participants felt the response options were appropriate for conveying their answers. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of cognitive testing in developing surveys for empirical bioethics.
AB - Background: We describe our use of cognitive interviews in developing a measure of “preventive misconception” to demonstrate the importance of this approach to researchers developing surveys in empirical bioethics. The preventive misconception involves research participants' false beliefs about a prevention trial, including beliefs that the interventions being tested will certainly be effective. Methods: We developed and refined a measure of the preventive misconception using qualitative interviews that focused on cognitive testing of proposed survey items with HIV prevention trial participants. Results: Two main problems emerged during initial interviews. First, the phrase “reduce your risk,” used to elicit beliefs about risk reduction from the use of study medications, was interpreted as relating to a reduction of risky behaviors. Second, the phrase “participating in this study,” intended to elicit beliefs about trial group assignment, was interpreted as relating to personal behavior changes associated with study participation. Additional interviews using a revised measure were no longer problematic in these ways, and participants felt the response options were appropriate for conveying their answers. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of cognitive testing in developing surveys for empirical bioethics.
KW - HIV/AIDS
KW - bioethics
KW - empirical research
KW - health risk behaviors
KW - interview
KW - qualitative research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84946114200&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84946114200&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/23294515.2015.1037967
DO - 10.1080/23294515.2015.1037967
M3 - Article
C2 - 27747258
AN - SCOPUS:84946114200
SN - 2329-4515
VL - 7
SP - 17
EP - 23
JO - AJOB Empirical Bioethics
JF - AJOB Empirical Bioethics
IS - 1
ER -