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The power of the interviewer

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Randall

    (University College London (UCL))

  • Ernestina Coast

    (London School of Economics and Political Science)

  • Natacha Compaore

    (Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Population (ISSP))

  • Philippe Antoine

    (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD))

Abstract

Background: African censuses and surveys remain dependent on interviewers for data collection. Data quality is assured through training and supervision. Many survey concepts are difficult to translate into African languages and some, such as "household", may have multiple criteria which are not fulfilled by everyone, leading interviewers to prioritise different criteria. Some questions introduce unfamiliar ideas which require considerable negotiation by interviewers to obtain acceptable answers. Objective: To identify key stages in the data collection process and domains where interviewer judgement and interviewer-respondent social dynamics play a substantial role in determining who is included in household surveys, and in shaping responses to questions. Methods: We analyse published definitions, enumerator manuals and qualitative interview data with households, interviewers, supervisors, trainers, survey organisers and analysts along the chain of data production and use in Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Results: Despite comprehensive training manuals and definitions, interviewers influence who is included in, and excluded from surveys. Interviewer versatility needs to include both persuasive social skills and an ability to follow precise wording. In Africa, where survey concepts are often different from local concepts and where interviewers are socio-economically distant from respondents, these persuasive social skills are required throughout the interview process with unknown impact on the data produced. Language diversity is a major barrier to harmonisation. Conclusions: To improve survey data validity more effort should be made to understand the influence of interviewers on data in low-income settings. Comments: This submission covers important issues for demographers undertaking secondary analysis of African surveys, especially those without fieldwork experience.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Randall & Ernestina Coast & Natacha Compaore & Philippe Antoine, 2013. "The power of the interviewer," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 28(27), pages 763-792.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:28:y:2013:i:27
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2013.28.27
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alexander Weinreb & Mariano Sana, 2009. "The Effects of Questionnaire Translation on Demographic Data and Analysis," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 28(4), pages 429-454, August.
    2. Annelies G. Blom & Edith D. de Leeuw & Joop J. Hox, 2010. "Interviewer Effects on Nonresponse," MEA discussion paper series 10202, Munich Center for the Economics of Aging (MEA) at the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy.
    3. Simona Bignami & Georges Reniers & Alexander A. Weinreb, 2003. "An Assessment of the KDICP and MDICP Data Quality," Demographic Research Special Collections, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 1(2), pages 31-76.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sara Randall & Ernestina Coast, 2016. "The quality of demographic data on older Africans," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 34(5), pages 143-174.
    2. Rao, Lakshman Nagraj & Gentile, Elisabetta & Pipon, Dave & Roque, Jude David & Thuy, Vu Thi Thu, 2020. "The impact of computer-assisted personal interviewing on survey duration, quality, and cost: Evidence from the Viet Nam Labor Force Survey," GLO Discussion Paper Series 605, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Sara Randall & Ernestina Coast & Philippe Antoine & Natacha Compaore & Fatou-Binetou Dial & Alexandra Fanghanel & Sadio Ba Gning & Bilampoa Gnoumou Thiombiano & Valérie Golaz & Stephen Ojiambo Wander, 2015. "UN Census “Households†and Local Interpretations in Africa Since Independence," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(2), pages 21582440155, June.
    4. Zezza,Alberto & Mcgee,Kevin Robert & Wollburg,Philip Randolph & Assefa,Thomas Woldu & Gourlay,Sydney, 2022. "From Necessity to Opportunity : Lessons for Integrating Phone and In-Person Data Collectionfor Agricultural Statistics in a Post-Pandemic World," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10168, The World Bank.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    household; interviews; sub-Saharan Africa; survey; interviewers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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