AIDSQuest: The HIV/AIDS Survey Library

AIDSQuest: The HIV/AIDS Survey Library
What Is the HIV/AIDS Survey Library?

The objectives of Horizons AIDSQuest are to:

Create a resource for researchers and others who are developing standardized questionnaires and other instruments related to HIV/AIDS research.
Bring together information on the development and prior use of surveys as available.
Offer methodological tips on developing AIDS-related questions.
Present common behavioral theories and how they can be used to inform surveys.
Provide a forum for new and innovative surveys or scales.
Encourage the widespread use of similar questions in surveys worldwide, to facilitate comparison and validity of results.

A well-prepared questionnaire makes life easier for this data entry specialist in Africa.

Photo credit: Scott Geibel

The surveys in AIDSQuest are made available as examples to help researchers begin the process of developing their own instruments. An important goal of the library is to offer a variety of different surveys that address similar topics, so that researchers can choose among a range of options and combine and adapt options as they see fit. For ease of survey development, surveys have been presented in two forms: selected questions separated into AIDS-related topic areas, and complete instruments. The introductions to each library topic area provide some guidance regarding which question formats might be appropriate for different types of studies. However, the reliability and validity of the questionnaires presented in the library are not all fully known. Surveys and questions within surveys that work well in one setting may not be relevant or clear in another setting. Therefore, we strongly suggest that all users follow the usual procedures of survey research and pretest questionnaires carefully. It is also a good idea to "triangulate" data collection where possible, that is, to collect information via multiple sources. An example of triangulation would be to combine clinic service statistics and the observation of patient-provider interactions with the results from a standardized survey.

What surveys are in AIDSQuest?
Surveys have been selected because they are widely used and/or provide a new and innovative manner in which to measure key concepts. Horizons has collected instruments from a number of international and local organizations, as well as from the published literature. Some surveys were designed for global use, some for use in the United States, and others for use in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. Most surveys are available only in English, but some are also available in other languages.

For ease of survey development, surveys have been presented in two forms. Complete instruments can be found in the full instrument section. Selected questions have also been separated into AIDS-related topic areas. An introduction accompanies each of the topic areas, to discuss methodological issues related to survey development. The topics range from the more concrete, such as HIV risk behaviors, to more difficult-to-measure social constructs, such as gender norms and roles.

Also included is added a section that provides descriptions of behavioral and social theories commonly used to guide HIV-related research.* This section of the library provides a short overview of a number of theories, both individual behavior and community or structural theories.

Summaries of the development and prior use of questionnaires are included in the Full Instruments and Overviews of Surveys: Development and Use section.

Reference information for each survey or scale, and for the developers of the survey or scale, has been included in the survey summaries. Please do cite the organization or individual if survey items are used. Many thanks to the organizations and individuals who provided access to their survey instruments and other materials. The development of the survey bank is ongoing, and new instruments are welcome.

Additional resources in AIDSQuest
Other related resources are included in the Appendixes.

Appendix A provides a resource for researchers and program managers working with children and adolescents on how to gather data among young people in a way that minimizes harm and maximizes benefits.
Appendix B offers methods developed by PATH and WHO for use when conducting research on violence.
Appendix C offers standard indicators to measure stigma and discrimination which were field tested and validated.
Appendix D provides a well-known methodology to evaluate the reading level of surveys and other documents—the SMOG. This is particularly useful if researchers are working with low-literacy populations.
Appendix E is a bibliography of some published literature on the validity and reliability of HIV/AIDS-related survey instruments and topic areas.
Appendix F is a review of instruments assessing health-related quality of life.

Search the HIV/AIDS Survey Library:

For additional information please contact:
Horizons
Population Council
4301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 280
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: +1 202 237 9400
Facsimile: +1 202 237 8410
E-mail: horizons@popcouncil.org

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This page updated
21 August 2006