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Interviewer as Instrument

Accounting for Human Factors in Evaluation Research

Center for Educational Research and Development and the University of Oklahoma

This methodological study examines an original data collection model designed to incorporate human factors and enhance data richness in qualitative and evaluation research. Evidence supporting this model is drawn from in-depth youth and adult interviews in one of the largest policy/ programevaluations undertaken in the United States, the Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Education evaluation (77 districts, 118 schools). When applying the explicit observation technique (EOT)—the strategic and nonjudgmental disclosure of nonverbal human factor cues by the interviewer to the respondent during interview—data revealed the observation disclosure pattern. Here, respondents linked perceptions with policy or program implementation or effectiveness evidence. Although more research is needed, it is concluded that the EOT yields richer data when compared with traditional semistructured interviews and, thus, holds promise to enhance qualitative and evaluation research methods. Validity and reliability as well as qualitative and evaluation research considerations are discussed.

Key Words: evaluation methods • human factors research • interaction analysis • discourse analysis

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