Table 2.

Examples of verbal probes utilized during the cognitive interview.

Verbal probe type	Scripted probing	Sample questions
Comprehensive probes	What do you think the question is asking?	What do you think this sentence means? Please explain it in your own words.
		What do you think this word means in this context?
Retrieval probes	Tell me what you are thinking?	What did you recall when you answered this question?
Comfort probes	Are there any questions that make you uncomfortable?	Are there any words or items that make you uncomfortable?
Observational probes	Why did not you answer the question?	Why did not you answer the question?
		Why did you hesitate to answer this question?
General probes	What do you think of the questionnaire?	What do you think of the questionnaire (design, font, length, etc.)?