Pretest Methods for Print Materials

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(AED, JHU, and PN 1993)

Self-administered Surveys (mailed or personally delivered)

Purpose: To obtain individual reactions to draft materials

Application: Print or audiovisual materials

Number of: Enough to see a pattern of response

Respondents: (Minimum 20; ideal 100-200)

Resources Required: List of respondents; draft materials; questionnaire; postage (if mailed)

Pros: Inexpensive. Does not require staff's time to interact with respondents if mailed; can be anonymous for respondents; can reach homebound, rural, or other difficult to reach groups; easy and (usually) quick for respondents

Cons: Response rate may be low if mailed; may require followup; may take long time to receive sufficient responses; respondents self-select (potential bias); exposure to materials isn't controlled; may not be appropriate if audience has limited writing skills

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