Conference Presentation
For many years, the standard approach for producing sound files for audio computer assisted selfinterviewing (ACASI) has been to use recorded human voices. This process is relatively inefficient, especially if questions are changed. An early study (Couper, Singer, and Tourangeau, 2004) found computer-generated text-to-speech (TTS) voices equally effective at eliciting sensitive information over the telephone. In this paper we compare the effects of a recorded human voice versus a text-to-speech system using a quasi-experimental design. The National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) adopted TTS for ACASI beginning in September 2011, using the TextSpeech Pro software from Digital Future. We will compare the reports of sensitive behavior and respondent reactions to and use of ACASI in the first quarter of the new cycle of NSFG (September-December 2011) with data from the previous cycle of NSFG (completed in June 2011). We will use the substantive data to compare response distributions, interview observation data to compare use of ACASI, and keystroke data to explore time differences in completion. If necessary, we will use matching techniques to control for sample composition differences between the two cycles. Our working hypothesis is that there will be no differences between recorded and computer-generated speech. If supported, this finding will advance the development of ACASI systems.

Journal article
We evaluate the use of text-to-speech (TTS) technology for audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI). We use a quasi-experimental design, comparing the use of recorded human voice in the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth with the use of TTS in the first year of the 2011–2013 survey, where the essential survey conditions are largely unchanged. We examine substantive distributions of ACASI items, item missing data rates, interviewer observations, and time stamps. We find no negative effect of the transition to TTS. We discuss the advantages of using TTS for ACASI.