What if a respondent can’t read well enough to complete a form?

Answer: The forms require only fifth-grade reading skills. They can also be administered orally by an interviewer who completes the form on the basis of the respondent’s answers. If there is doubt about a respondent’s reading skill, embarrassment can be avoided by handing the form to the respondent and having the interviewer read each item aloud and record the answers on another copy of the form. Respondents who can read will usually start answering spontaneously, without waiting for the questions to be read.