Study Design
This qualitative study used Think-Aloud and cognitive interviewing
methods to obtain feedback from AYA-CCS on acceptability, usefulness,
and validity of the PROMIS SexFS Brief for this
population.26-30 These methods are evidence-based
qualitative approaches for assessing respondent understanding and
content validity, and have been used both in creation of surveys and in
evaluating existing surveys for new popultions.26-30Specifically, we used the Think-Aloud approach, in which participants
completed the Sex FS Brief while actively verbalizing their
thoughts.31 Use of Think-Aloud allows a glimpse of
participants’ thought processes during use of the SexFS Brief, including
immediate impressions and problems or questions encountered in
understanding or answering the survey item. After undergoing Think-Aloud
data collection, participants underwent cognitive interviewing to
evaluate whether the survey fulfilled its intended purpose, with
specific probes to elucidate acceptability, content validity, and
usefulness.32 This study was performed after obtaining
local institutional review board approval. In addition to qualitative
data collection, basic demographic, diagnostic and treatment information
were also collected.