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Web Survey Bibliography

Title The next CAPI evolution - completing web surveys on cell-enabled iPads
Year 2011
Access date 13.05.2013
Abstract

Intercept field data collectors working in outdoor environments using electronic devices face a number of challenges traditional in-person data collectors do not, such as conducting interviews in bright sunlight, wind, and/or rain. These interviewers need data collection devices that are lightweight, can be held in one hand or suspended from the neck, are protected from the elements, have outstanding battery lives, are easy to read in various lighting levels, and have large screens able to display an easy-to-read font and graphics. An issue all field CAPI (Computer Assisted In Person Interviewing) data collectors currently face involves software licensing costs and data security. These stand -alone data collection devices must be synchedup periodically (completed interviews must be transmitted to a central server and any survey/sample updates transmitted back to the laptop or tablet data collection device). In addition, the survey data is at risk if the data collection device is lost, stolen or damaged between ‗synchs‘. Finally, CAPI software packages generally require expensive survey software development licenses as well as licenses for each deployed data collection device. These costs can be non-trivial, especially if the effort is significant. Researchers at ICF sought a data collection option that was both innovative and well-suited for conducting interviews in challenging environments without many of the cost and data security implications that can accompany more traditional CAPI implementations. Our solution was web-based surveys on cellenabled tablets (specifically 3G iPads). We will measure cost and QA improvements over paper and pencil intercepts, as well as test other possible benefits of the devices, such as using GPS locations combined with date/time stamps to assist with interviewer QA. The results of this pilot study will inform survey researchers on the potential barriers to infield web-based data collection in adverse environments, including network speeds, connectivity issues, environmental challenges and cost.

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Year of publication2010
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
Full text availabilityFurther details
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Web survey bibliography (4086)

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