Cognitive Interviewing

A qualitative research technique used to explore how survey respondents understand and mentally process assessment questions. Cognitive interviewing involves asking participants to think aloud as they interpret and answer questions, revealing misunderstandings, ambiguities, and unintended interpretations. In accessibility research, this method is particularly valuable for evaluating whether self-report measures designed for general populations are appropriate for specific disability communities, such as testing whether emotional dysregulation questionnaires are comprehensible and non-stigmatizing for adults with ADHD.