The document discusses the Population Council's development of an interactive questionnaire system (iQS) that incorporates customized avatars and gaming elements to collect self-reported data from youth. iQS allows participants to customize an avatar and complete surveys on a website. It aims to keep adolescents engaged during lengthy surveys, particularly on sensitive topics. Researchers are requesting new electronic survey methods. Lessons learned include improving avatars while recognizing users' technology access and willingness to bypass protections.

1. Building a self-report web-based survey system that
incorporates the use of customized avatars and
gaming console qualities
Craig Savel
Stan Mierzwa
Population Council
April 26-28, 2015
San Francisco, CA
#YTHLive
Annual Conference on Youth + Tech + Health

2. The
Population Council
conducts research to
address critical health and
development issues. We
are working to stop the
spread of HIV, provide
more reproductive choices,
and ensure that young
people lead full and
productive lives. Our
research leads to better
policies, programs, and
technologies that improve
lives around the world.

3. • Council background
• iQS (interactive questionnaire system)
background
• Previous experience
• Why gaming?
• Technology blocks
• Site staff’s role
• Lessons learned
Agenda
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4. About
#YTHLive
1952
17
50
650
60%
Founded by John D. Rockefeller, 3rd
Offices around the world (HQ: NYC - 1DAG)
Countries where we work
Employees, half with advanced degrees
Staff based in developing countries

5. • Software accessible via a website, and can be utilized
via a modern HTML5 compliant browser
• Participants will customize their own avatar which will be
used in the electronic survey
• Question text is provided via a bubble on the screen and
response options are provided for the participant to
select
• Data automatically stored in a centralized database
• Skip patterns automated; scientific integrity of data
• PC IT staff has previous experience in building ACASI for
use with semi-literate populations
iQS Background
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6. #YTHLive

7. #YTHLive

8. • Continue to innovate with survey
technology
• Provide participants the opportunity to
self-report on sensitive questions
• No interview bias
• Increased privacy and confidentiality may
lead to more honest reporting
Why use iQS in a Study
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9. • Continue to innovate around self-report
technologies
• Keep adolescents engaged – surveys can
be lengthy!
• New methods of electronic survey
administration are critically needed –
particularly in HIV research
• Seems to follow the m/eHealth movement
Why Gaming?
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10. • iQS website for participant surveys
• iQS admin portal for:
– Activating the iQS survey for a participant
– Monitoring survey completion for participants
Technology Blocks
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11. 1. Explain iQS to participant/answer Qs
2. Demonstrate (if necessary) how to
access the website
3. Set up iQS survey for participant if he/she
decides to complete it in the clinic
4. Leave room/close door (ensure privacy!)
5. Remind participant to ask Qs at any time
& tell you when finished
What is the site staff’s role?
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12. Customizing the avatar
- Ability to customize
the avatar that will
ultimately be used
during the iQS.
Avatar will follow
respondent
throughout the study.

13. Sample iQS question

14. Sample iQS question

15. Sample iQS simple report

16. • Better avatars but simple avatars
• Young people in the US might not have the
latest toys, or even fairly late toys. We were
astonished about how many users were still
using IE7.
• At the same time youth are sophisticated
enough so that they will break even your best-
tested code if they don’t want to answer a
question. Get over it!
• Audio was a gimmick frankly
Lessons Learned
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17. • iQS is a survey system that incorporates
customized avatars
• Researchers are requesting new ways to
collect self-report data
Once Again
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18. Funding acknowledgement: Adolescent
Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS
Interventions (ATN) Grant NICHD 5 U01 HD
40533 and 5U01HD 40474, which are funded
by the National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development, and with co-funding
from the National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA) and National Institute of Mental Health
(NIMH).
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19. Thank You
Craig Savel and Stan Mierzwa
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