BPI & CHAT-E: What the Research Says (With Links)
Written by Puppet Interview TeamUpdated
A neutral, citation-linked overview of the Berkeley Puppet Interview (BPI) and Northwestern's CHAT-E tablet adaptation, and how each elicits reliable self-report from young children using friendly, paired puppet statements.
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BPI is an evidence-based, live puppet interview that has appeared in 100+ peer-reviewed studies; it requires formal training and coding to ensure fidelity.
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CHAT-E adapts that method to a tablet with animated characters and dichotomous (either-or) choices, adding built-in assent and assessor guidance to streamline fieldwork.
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Both rely on the same core idea: two identical characters state opposing viewpoints, then the child indicates which is "more like me."
Helpful Resources
Use these when writing protocols or IRB submissions:
What is the Berkeley Puppet Interview (BPI)?
The Berkeley Puppet Interview (BPI) is a structured interview for young children that uses two identical puppets to prompt a conversation. Each puppet makes an opposing statement (e.g., "I have lots of friends." vs. "I don't have lots of friends."), and the child is invited to respond verbally, by pointing, or otherwise. Researchers then code the child's responses using a rule-based system to produce quantitative scores.
According to the University of Oregon's overview, BPI has been implemented in 100+ peer-reviewed studies and translated to multiple languages, with evidence for reliability and validity of children's self-perceptions in early childhood. Because consistent delivery and coding are critical, teams typically complete formal training/certification before fielding BPI at scale.
What is CHAT-E?
CHAT-E (Childhood Assessment Tool—Electronic) is Northwestern's tablet adaptation of the BPI approach. Two animated, identical characters (see the DEEP Lab project page) deliver paired, dichotomous statements and prompt the child to choose which is "more like me," a format described by Sabol et al. (2021) as developmentally appropriate for non-readers (ages 4–8).
Key Features: CHAT-E adds practical features for research operations: built-in child assent workflows, on-screen assessor guidance, and standardized scripts/voices for consistent delivery (see the DEEP Lab project page and Sabol et al. (2021)). Check the project page for current device support and authoring process.
Why the "Puppet-Mediated" Format Works
Peer-Like Distance
Children answer puppets in a more unselfconscious, story-like exchange than when questioned directly by adults (BPI rationale).
Developmental Fit
Paired, dichotomous choices reduce cognitive and literacy demands for non-readers (CHAT-E FAQ).
Standardization Options
Digital delivery (CHAT-E) keeps the prompt/intonation identical across sessions, supporting consistency.
Strengths & Limitations (Neutral View)
| Criterion | BPI | CHAT-E |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Live puppeteer; flexible dialogue captured on video and coded later. | Animated tablet characters; tap-to-choose responses stored instantly. |
| Training & Staffing | Formal training/certification; skilled interviewers & coders. | Minimal training; on-screen assessor guidance and standardized scripts. |
| Data & Analysis | Rich qualitative signal; requires post-session coding. | Structured, immediate data suitable for quick analysis. |
| Scale | Resource-intensive to scale (many trained interviewers). | Designed for larger samples with consistent delivery. |
| Authorship | Items delivered by trained puppeteer from standardized scripts. | Items loaded into the app; see FAQ for current custom-content process. |
How to Cite or Justify in Protocols
Reference BPI's evidence base and coding reliability via the UO overview and training materials.
Describe CHAT-E's lineage from BPI and its child-appropriate, dichotomous design with links to the DEEP Lab project page and Sabol et al. (2021).
Document session standardization (script/voice), assent UX, and data capture approaches, linking directly to the sources above.
References & Useful Links
Working on Your IRB?
Get pre-written rationale for puppet-mediated, dichotomous child self-report, assent language, and data-flow descriptions.
Download the IRB Language PackRelated Articles
Puppet Interview Method (Complete Guide)
A comprehensive, accessible guide to the Puppet Interview method for ages 4–8: origins (BPI), digital adaptations (CHAT-E), evidence of reliability, use cases, pros/cons, and implementation tips, with numbered references.
Designing Developmentally Appropriate Survey Questions for Young Children
A practical guide to designing developmentally appropriate, dichotomous (either-or) survey questions for children ages 4–8, grounded in the Berkeley Puppet Interview (BPI) and CHAT-E methods, with 50+ example prompts and explicit citations.
BPI vs. CHAT-E vs. Puppet Interview (Software): Methods, Training & Digital Deployment
Compare the Berkeley Puppet Interview (BPI), Northwestern's CHAT-E, and Puppet Interview software: methods, training needs, and how to deploy at scale on tablets.
Choosing Dichotomous vs. Likert for Ages 4–8: A Practical Guide
Plain-English guidance on choosing dichotomous (either-or) vs. Likert scales for ages 4–8, with item-writing rules, classroom deployment tips, and 60 ready-to-use templates.
Peer-Reviewed Research
A critical gap in early childhood policies: Children's meaning making
Sabol et al., Translational Issues in Psychological Science (2021)
Assessing young children's views of their academic, social, and emotional lives: An evaluation of the self-perception scales of the Berkeley Puppet Interview
Measelle et al., Child Development (1998)
Longitudinal changes in preschoolers' self-reported psychological and social problems: Feasibility, reliability, and cross-informant agreement
Chan et al., Child Psychiatry & Human Development (2025)