​Pre-testing Semi-structured Interview Questions Using Expert Review and Cognitive Interview Methods

Abstract

The aim of this methodological paper is to report on a way to pre-test semi-structured interview questions using both the expert review and cognitive interview methods for multiple case study research. Pre-testing, a type of pilot study, is important to ensure semi-structured interview questions can achieve the desired goal of rigour in the qualitative research process ensuring construct validity and reliability. Expert reviews can be undertaken using a modified Qualitative Appraisal System (QAS-99) questionnaire and cognitive interviews using Tourangeau’s four-stage cognitive model with verbal probes and concurrent probing. Modifications can then be made to the initial semi-structured interview questions resulting in a final semi-structured interview protocol. Reflective insights in the pre-testing process should also be documented. As there is a dearth of reports on how to undertake pre-testing of semi-structured interview questions using both the expert review and cognitive interview methods, this paper provides a valuable methodological guide for qualitative researchers in the preparation and development of a semi-structured interview protocol especially for multiple case study research.