Pretesting

Conducting one or several pretests is commonly regarded in survey research as an indispensable prerequisite for a successful questionnaire design and thus for the quality of the data collected within the scope of the survey in question. For many years, GESIS has been focusing activities in the area of pretesting on consultations and implementation regarding cognitive pretest procedures and their continuing examination and further development.

The purpose of cognitive pretests is the verification of how items, questions, and response categories are understood by those surveyed. They contribute, as ‘active techniques’, to ensuring and improving the quality of questionnaires.

The following services are provided by GESIS to optimize questions and questionnaire:

• consultations at the stage of pretest-design development
• consultation in the selection and application of various pretest procedures
• carrying out cognitive tests