Introduction

This is the introductory chapter of the book, which focuses on the question evaluation method of cognitive interviewing—a method arising directly from the cognitive aspects of survey methodology (CASM) movement. The book lays out procedures for conducting cognitive interviewing studies with an eye toward studying constructs, including processes and considerations for data collection, analysis, and making conclusions. It describes how to write results of cognitive interviewing studies so that findings can serve as ample documentation for both survey managers and data users who will use the study to more fully understand and better interpret survey data. Finally, the book lays out limitations of cognitive interviewing studies and explores the benefits of cognitive interviewing with other methodological approaches.