A qualitative study of interviewer-administered physical activity recalls by children.
BACKGROUND
Qualitative methods were used to better understand how to obtain interviewer-administered recalls of physical activity from children.


METHODS
Subjects were 24 third- and fifth-grade children from 1 school in Columbia, South Carolina. Cognitive interviews targeted different retention intervals (about the same or previous school day). Round 1's protocols used an open format and had 4 phases (obtain free recall, review free recall, obtain details, review details). Round 2's protocols used a chronological format and had 3 phases (obtain free recall, obtain details, review details). Trained coders identified discrepancies across interview phases in children's recalls of physical activity at physical education (PE) and recess. Based on the school's schedule, children's reports of PE and recess were classified as omissions (scheduled but unreported) or intrusions (unscheduled but reported).


RESULTS
Across interview phases, there were numerous discrepancies for Round 1 (regardless of grade, sex, or retention interval) but few discrepancies for Round 2. For Rounds 1 and 2, respectively, 0% and 0% of children omitted PE, while 33% and 0% intruded PE; 44% and 56% of children omitted recess, while 33% and 0% intruded recess.


CONCLUSIONS
Results provide important information for facilitating interviewer-administered recalls of physical activity with elementary-age children.
Dept of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
Dawn K
DK
Wilson
Suzanne Domel
SD
Baxter
Caroline
C
Guinn
Russell R
RR
Pate
Kerry
K
McIver
D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009043:Motor Activity; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012574:Schools; D013022:South Carolina; D013997:Time Factors