Comparative analysis of data collection methods in adolescent surveys: a scoping review

Adolescents face unique challenges and vulnerabilities. Adolescent health research requires effective methods to understand adolescent experiences and behaviours, making the choice of data collection method crucial. This review focuses on studies that compared face-to-face interviews and the self-administered questionnaire-based data collection process for adolescent surveys.

A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, Science-Direct and Elicit, focusing on studies from 2000 to 2023. Articles in English that collected primary data from adolescents (10–19 years) through both face-to-face and self-administered methods, covering both quantitative and qualitative designs, were reviewed and summarized.

The self-administered questionnaires offer benefits in terms of efficiency, privacy and suitability for sensitive topics, particularly in school settings. Face-to-face interviews conducted by trained interviewers, on the other hand, excel at response rates and insights, especially among literacy-challenged adolescents. Both the methods yield valid results; however, self-administered questionnaires are preferred for efficiency and privacy, especially for ‘sensitive topics’, while face-to-face interviews provide richer context and understanding.

The choice of method for data collection should align with research goals to enhance the quality of information gathered from adolescents. However, a dipstick check of data collection methods should be conducted before a full-scale rollout of either the self-administered method or face-to-face interview method.