Technical Information and Data
Numbered Memos
BRFSS POLICY MEMO 98.2
Interview Monitoring and Verification
The "BRFSS User's Guide" specifies in Chapter 7 that interviewing 1) will
be monitored while in progress and 2) that a sample of completed interviews
will be called back for verification. These two activities are
complementary, and both should be conducted when resources are sufficient.
If electronic monitoring is not possible, verification callbacks must be
done each month. If resources are insufficient to do both, verification
call-backs can be discontinued as long as monitoring is done in an optimal
fashion. Optimal monitoring includes all of the following:
1. A telephone line monitoring system is used that allows both the
interviewer and the respondent to be heard. 2. A CATI system is used and the
administration of the questionnaire can be replicated and viewed at another
monitor. 3. The monitoring system is unobtrusive, that is, there is no line
noise and persons monitoring are not in sight of the interviewer. 4.
Monitoring is done systematically for all interviewers at least once every
month. 5. he results of monitoring are documented, shared with the
interviewer, and saved for use in performance evaluations.
An additional third step is required when electronic monitoring is
regulated by state law. When State law requires the respondent be notified
of possible monitoring of the interview, the following statement should be
substituted immediately before Section I of the questionnaire:
The interview will only take a short time. The interview may be monitored
for quality assurance purposes, but all information obtained in this study
will be confidential.
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