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Findings show individualized frames of reference limit response comparability to quantitative surveys, and propose approaches for future item development.",{"@graph":14,"@context":77},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/research-report/","Research & Report",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/measuring-computer-skills-of-older-people-in-share-working-paper-series-98-2025/298135/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/measuring-computer-skills-of-older-people-in-share-working-paper-series-98-2025/298135.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Emma Wilson","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-10","2026-09-18",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",7,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69,73],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What is the main objective of this working paper?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"To further develop the IT module of SHARE by evaluating an item on older people’s self-assessment of computer skills using qualitative pretest interviews.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"Which method is used to test and revise the questionnaire item?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"Qualitative pretest interviews (QPI) in survey research, including training for survey specialists and structured interviews with participants.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"How many older people participated, and what age range do they cover?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"Interviews were conducted with 17 people aged between 50 and 87.",{"name":74,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":75},"What problem was identified and what is proposed to address it?",{"text":76,"@type":64},"Participants used highly individualized frames of reference for their self-assessment, limiting comparability across quantitative surveys; 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The working papers are not reviewed by the publisher (SHARE-ERIC), layout and editing are not standardized. The publisher takes no responsibility for the scientific content of the paper. Working Papers can be updated – a version number is indicated on the front page. Previous versions are available upon request.  \nAcknowledgements  \nThe SHARE data collection has been funded by the European Commission, DG RTD through FP5 (QLK6-CT-2001-00360), FP6 (SHARE-I3: RII-CT-2006-062193, COMPARE: CIT5-CT- 2005-028857, SHARELIFE: CIT4-CT-2006-028812), FP7 (SHARE-PREP: GAN°211909, SHARE-LEAP: GAN°227822, SHARE M4: GAN°261982, DASISH: GAN°283646)  \nand Horizon 2020 (SHARE-DEV3: GAN°676536, SHARE-COHESION: GA  \nN°870628, SERISS: GAN°654221, SSHOC: GAN°823782, SHARE-COVID19: GAN°101015924) and by DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion through VS 2015/0195, VS 2016/0135, VS 2018/0285, VS 2019/0332, VS 2020/0313, SHARE-EUCOV: GAN°101052589 and EUCOVII: GAN°101102412. Additional funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (01UW1301, 01UW1801, 01UW2202), the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, the U.S. National Institute on Aging (U01_AG09740-13S2, P01_AG005842, P01_AG08291, P30_AG12815, R21_AG025169, Y1-AG-4553-01, IAG_BSR06-11, OGHA_ 04-064, BSR12-04, R01_AG052527-02, R01_AG056329-02, R01_AG063944, HHSN271201300071C, RAG052527A) and from various national funding sources is gratefully acknowledged ([see](see www.share-eric.eu)[ ](see www.share-eric.eu)[www.share-eric.eu](see www.share-eric.eu)).  \nAbstract  \nIn the context of the rapid digital transformation and its impact on the quality of life of older people, the study of digital skills in this age group is becoming increasingly important. The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) is a longitudinal study with the aim of gaining comprehensive insights into the life situation of older people over the age of 50 in numerous European countries. There is a tension in questionnaire development between the desire for panel stability, which ensures the consistency of questions over time, and the rapid pace of technological development. This requires continuous adaptation of survey instruments to ensure that they are relevant and up to date, without compromising the comparability of the data collected. One method for testing and revising questionnaires is the qualitative pretest interview (QPI) . The aim of the project was to further develop the IT module of SHARE, which included an item on the self-assessment of older people's computer skills. To this end, survey specialists were trained in the use of the QPI and interviews were conducted with 17 people aged between 50 and 87. It was found that although most of the interviewees had hardly any difficulties understanding the computer skills item at first glance, they used highly individualised frames of reference for their selfassessment. As a result, the comparability of responses to quantitative surveys is limited. Approaches are formulated as to how this problem can be tackled in the further development of the item.  \nKeywords: questionnaire development, survey research, qualitative pretest interviews, computer skills in old age  \nContents  \n1 Introduction: Measuring digital competences of older people in longitudinal surveys ...............................................................................................................................5  \n2 Method: Qualit","cbCaina1zsfDttn6","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaina1zsfDttn6","pdf",620562,25,"English","# 1 Introduction: Measuring digital competences of older people in longitudinal surveys\n# 2 Method: Qualitative pretest interviews in survey research\n## 2.1 IT module (SHARE questionnaire) - item on computer skills\n## 2.2 Qualitative pretest interviews & interview training\n## 2.3 Sample & realisation\n# 3 Presentation of results: Computer skills of older people\n## 3.1 Assessment of own computer skills\n## 3.2 Respondents' frame of reference for self-assessment\n# 4 Categorisation of the results and conclusion\n## 4.1 Empirical categorisation based on quantitative findings\n## 4.2 Item formulation\n## 4.3 Response tendencies & behaviour\n## 4.4 Consequences & conclusion\n# References","[{\"question\":\"What is the main objective of this working paper?\",\"answer\":\"To further develop the IT module of SHARE by evaluating an item on older people’s self-assessment of computer skills using qualitative pretest interviews.\"},{\"question\":\"Which method is used to test and revise the questionnaire item?\",\"answer\":\"Qualitative pretest interviews (QPI) in survey research, including training for survey specialists and structured interviews with participants.\"},{\"question\":\"How many older people participated, and what age range do they cover?\",\"answer\":\"Interviews were conducted with 17 people aged between 50 and 87.\"},{\"question\":\"What problem was identified and what is proposed to address it?\",\"answer\":\"Participants used highly individualized frames of reference for their self-assessment, limiting comparability across quantitative surveys; approaches are formulated for tackling this in further item development.\"}]","Measuring Computer Skills of Older People in SHARE - Working Paper Series 98-2025 | PDF",63]