Table 3.

The final Conversation skills Assessment Tool (ChAT) tool.

Definition of observable behaviour					Clarifications/examples			Score
1. Comments about the Researcher personally: The P comments on R’ interests, opinions, personal stories. The P can also ask questions that are personal.					P: What did you do over the weekend (Personal question) P: You look tired today (Personal comment/observation)
I1	I2	I3	I4	I5	1 – present 0 – absent			Subtotal 1
2. Gives appropriate answers: There is a clear connection between what the R asks/says and what the P replies or asks back.					R: What are your hobbies? (Appropriate answers) P: Fishing, hunting (Inappropriate answer) P: Annoying my brother
I1	I2	I3	I4	I5	0 – absent 0.5 – not consistent 1 – present			Subtotal 2
3. Asks appropriate question(s) about the topic: P asks questions that are not too personal or potentially controversial					Appropriate: Occupation, education, interests, hobbies. Inappropriate: Age, sexual orientation, money, politics, religion.
I1	I2	I3	I4	I5	1 – present 0 – absent			Subtotal 3
4. Communicates at a reasonable pace: R doesn’t need to ask the P to repeat something, unless the R has difficulty understanding the P's accent. At the same time, there aren’t long pauses after a question, that the R doesn’t need to repeat the question.					R asks a Q; P responds within 3 s; P talks at a speed that is clear and understandable Note any consistent need to repeat a question/statement
Add the Number of long pauses for the whole conversation: I1 – I5					1 – Five or more 2 – Three or Four 3 – Two	4 – Once 5 – None		Subtotal 4
5. Shows continued interest in topic: Keeps the interaction going (i.e., asking sub-questions, making subsequent comments, laughing appropriately,). Engaged body language					Says ‘aha’ or ‘yeah’, ‘em’, ‘yes’, ‘right’, ‘sure’ or similar Nodding Looking at R, not laying back on the chair, not folding his/her arms, etc.
I1	I2	I3	I4	I5	0 – no interest 0.5 – shows interest in part of the interaction 1 – consistent interest			Subtotal 5
Definition of observable behaviour					Clarifications/ Examples			Score
6. Elaborates on open ended questions: Does not provide a quick, brief, concise answer but rather offers a more detailed, informative and expansive response SHORT: One phrase/sentence MEDIUM: two phrases/sentences (separated by comma or full stop) LONG: Three or more phrase/sentences (separated by commas and/or full stops) Phrase: a few words without verb or subject Sentence: a verb and subject along with other words 7.					R: What do like to do in your spare time? P: I like to do a lot of interesting and exciting things in my spare time, such as play football (1 sentence- SHORT) [The first sentence doesn’t offer any info] P: I like to play football and basketball (2 sentences - MEDIUM) [Play basketball is the implication] P: I like to play football, soccer, basketball, tennis and watch Homeland, House of Cards, The Americans, The Good Fight, on TV (8 Sentences- LONG) [Implication of play 4 things and watch 4 things] P: I like watching my team because they are entertaining to see play, kind to their fans and well-behaved off the court (3 sentences – LONG) [Implication: Are kind … are well-behaved..]
I1	I2	I3	I4	I5	First & follow-up questions in an interaction 1 – short & short 2 – short & medium 3 – short & long		4 – medium 5 – long	Subtotal 6
7. Allows the other person to be part of the conversation: The P does not take over the conversation; he/she gives the R the chance to be equal partners in the conversation. OR does not get interrupted when trying to speak. The R's body language does not change					The R does not go quiet (not even saying ‘yeah’, ‘aha’, emm, or similar) R doesn’t start slouching, looking at the watch, looking elsewhere for more extended periods.
Add the Number of interruptions for the whole conversation: I1 – I5 Note 0.5 – The participant thought the researcher finished speaking and spoke themselves 0.5 – There is a pause by both researcher and participant and then they speak together 1 – A clear interruption by the Participant					1 – four or more 2 – three 3 – twice 4 – once 5 – none			Subtotal 7
Subtotal 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = Total score