Cognitive Interviewing: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Structured Interviews with Survivors of Crime

Journal of Family Violence (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

This article explores the use of cognitive interviewing among one sensitive population, survivors of crime, and shares lessons learned from a cognitive interviewing study of LGBTQ+ survivors of crime. Cognitive interviewing is a structured research method that assists researchers in designing survey questions that clearly and accurately operationalize construct(s) of interest for use with one or more sub-populations. This method may be particularly important when conducting research on sensitive topics or with survivors who have experienced marginalization, oppression, or stigmatization because specific language or phrases may be confusing or not reflected among tools validated with mainstream dominant populations. However, past research on survivor-centered interviewing has raised questions about how these structured research methods can attend to survivor choice and autonomy. Researchers critically reflect on their experiences conducting cognitive interviews with LGBTQ+ survivors of crime and examine their processes and protocols in light of survivor-centered interview practices. Recommendations on how to use structured methods with sensitive populations are also provided to inform future research.

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Acknowledgement

This research was supported by grant # 18-V2-GX-0070 awarded to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions contained within this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority or the U.S. Department of Justice.

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  1. RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA

    Jaclyn D. Houston-Kolnik

  2. Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 300 W Adams Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60606, USA

    Amanda L. Vasquez

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  1. Jaclyn D. Houston-Kolnik
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Correspondence to Jaclyn D. Houston-Kolnik.

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Houston-Kolnik, J.D., Vasquez, A.L. Cognitive Interviewing: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Structured Interviews with Survivors of Crime. J Fam Viol (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-020-00232-7

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Keywords

  • Survivors of crime
  • Cognitive interviewing
  • Survivor-centered interviewing
  • LGBTQ+ survivors