Oral Face-to-Face Versus Online Administration of the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes–Stuttering/Child

Abstract

Background The Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes–Stuttering/Child (POSHA-S/Child; Weidner & St. Louis, 2014 ) is a standard instrument designed to measure the attitudes of children as young as 3 years of age toward stuttering. With preschool and early elementary school–aged children, the POSHA-S/Child is administered individually and face-to-face by an examiner. Older children who are satisfactory readers could be expected to respond to the instrument online, an increasingly popular mode of administering surveys. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare administration of the POSHA-S/Child in face-to-face versus online administration. Method Children primarily from 1 elementary school and children from other areas in the region responded to the POSHA-S/Child in either a face-to-face individual setting or online. Three grade levels were included: 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade. Results POSHA-S/Child ratings for individual items, components, subscores, and the Overall Stuttering Scores from the 2 modes of administration were similar. Conclusion With satisfactory reading abilities, children aged 9 years and older can be administered the POSHA-S/Child online with similar results as face-to-face administration.