Computerized self-interviewing and the measurement of sensitive behaviors

Surveys that rely on respondents to provide information on sensitive, stigm atized, or illicit behaviors may be subject to reporting bias. Audio comput er-assisted self-interview (audio-CASI), technology has been developed by r esearchers at the Research Triangle Institute. USA to overcome the limitati ons of traditional paper and pencil self-administered questionnaires (SAQs) and in-person interviewer-administered questionnaires (IAQs). The developm ent of audio-CASI technology has fundamentally altered the interview contex t for measuring sexual and other sensitive behaviors by providing privacy w ithout requiring literacy. This paper reviews the scientific development of audio-CASI and describes the results of methodological experiments compari ng audio-CASI with other survey interview modes. in 1995. RTI's audio-CASI technology was field tested in two major U.S, national surveys: The Nationa l Survey of Adolescent Males (NSAM) and the National Survey of Family Growt h (NSFG). These surveys found substantially higher levels of reporting of d rug use, same gender sexual contact and induced abortion with audio-CASI th an IAQs or SAQs.