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Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Animated Training Video

Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Animated Training Video

Field data collection is a precise, scientific process that requires each task to be handled in an accurate and consistent way. Data collection for the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) also requires that some of the work be done by educators rather than Westat staff. We provide in-person training for everyone involved. But some YRBS data collection activities happen long after this initial training. The YRBS video is a refresher to remind busy educators about the specifics of a very detailed process before the work is to be done.


Audience

State education agency staff.

Objective

Westat provides technical assistance to states in administering YRBS, part of a national effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor health risk behaviors of high school aged children in the United States. Our challenge was to provide refresher training for non-Westat staff to accurately select samples for the survey. We needed to make a dry, detailed process memorable.

Solution

The concept for this video was inspired by project staff’s successful use of cartoon characters in existing in-person trainings. The Westat Graphics team expanded on that concept, developed character illustrations, wrote the video script, created detailed storyboards and motion drawings, and brought the characters to life. Animation provided neutrality of characters and total control over demonstrations. Additionally, the program can be delivered on disc or on the web.