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Cognitive Pretesting of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration 2023 Internet Use Survey

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Working Paper Number: rsm2024-10

Abstract

This report presents findings and recommendations from cognitive testing of the computer assisted personal interview (CAPI) instrument for the 2023 National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Internet Use Survey (also called “Computer and Internet Use”), a supplement of the Current Population Survey (CPS). The NTIA Internet Use Survey was shortened both in terms of (1) questionnaire length (e.g., removing questions) and (2) item length (e.g., removing words within retained questions) to meet a recommended standard to have CPS supplements be administered in under ten minutes. The Center for Behavioral Science Methods (CBSM) at the U.S. Census Bureau conducted cognitive testing to evaluate: (1) streamlined questions to ensure that comprehension and the question intention was maintained and (2) whether specific technology phrasing in revised and existing questions was well understood. Most of the streamlined and modified questions were successful; questions pertaining to Internet service and smart TV usage were still problematic. These findings and recommendations informed the final wording for the survey, fielded in November 2023. Future cognitive testing should continue assessing wording related to technological trends happening in real time.

Page Last Revised - December 10, 2024
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