TILDA Prepares for Wave 7 Data Collection with In-Depth Interviewer Training Session
Posted on 18 November 2024
In preparation for Wave 7 of data collection, TILDA, with the help of Ipsos B&A, delivered a comprehensive two-day interviewer training session in Dublin. This intensive programme prepared twenty new interviewers to engage with our study participants across Ireland, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to ensure the quality and integrity of TILDA's data.
The training, led by TILDA’s Management and Data Teams, provided a thorough overview of the TILDA methodology, focusing on safeguarding practices, interview formats, and core protocols in data protection and consent. Interviewers were guided through mock assessments with our Data Team, gaining hands-on experience with essential study components. Each portion of the interview process included a formal accreditation, ensuring every interviewer is fully qualified to conduct assessments accurately and sensitively.
A particular focus was placed on TILDA’s health and cognitive assessments, which are pivotal in understanding the health, physical abilities, and cognitive well-being of Ireland’s ageing population. For example, the "Timed Up and Go" (TUG) assessment, measuring functional mobility and balance, allows researchers to track the time it takes participants to stand, walk three metres, and return to a seated position. Additionally, the cognitive assessments explore memory, verbal fluency, and other key cognitive functions, offering crucial insights into cognitive ageing.
Dr Ann Monaghan, Project Manager, welcomes interviewers to training.
TILDA and Ipsos B&A concluded the training with a strong sense of collaboration and readiness. With new skills and certifications, the interviewers are now prepared to begin fieldwork in the new year, supporting TILDA’s mission to expand our understanding of ageing in Ireland.
Special thanks for our wonderful team members who contributed to this years training: Ann Monaghan, Siobhan Scarlett, Joseph Uzah, Joanne Feeney, Mary O'Shea, Brendan O'Maoileidigh, Brenda Ozeias Santos, Kevin Organ, Gabriela Oto, Grace Lehane, Aminat Coster, Morgana Afonso Shirsath, Katie Duffy, Mary Ferguson and Delaney Coppola. Well done team!
TILDA Wave 7 Participant Information Leaflet and Interviewer Training Pack