Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
Advancing Dyslexia Assessment in Children Through Computerized Testing
Published on: August 16, 2024
Value of audio-enhanced handheld computers over paper surveys with adolescents
Erika S Trapl1, H Gerry Taylor, Natalie Colabianchi
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH., USA. Erika.Trapl@case.edu
Objective:
To examine the impact of 3 data collection modes on the number of questions answered, data quality, and student preference.
Methods:
275 urban seventh-grade students were recruited and randomly assigned to complete a paper survey (SAQ), PDA survey (PDA), or PDA survey with audio (APDA). Students completed a paper debriefing survey.
Results:
APDA respondents completed significantly more questions compared to SAQ and PDA. PDA and APDA had significantly less missing data than did SAQ. No differences were found for student evaluation.
Conclusions:
Strong benefits may be gained by the use of APDA for adolescent school-based data collection.
