Web Survey Bibliography

Title Meanings of Data Quality in Assessments of New Data Collection Technologies
Author Nicholls II, W. L.
Source Bulletin of the International Statistical Institute 51st session, pp. 507-510
Year 1997
Access date 17.08.2004
Abstract This paper examines the various meanings of Adata quality@ in studies designed to assess the effects of new data collection technologies on survey data quality. It focuses specifically on the data quality effects of computer-assisted personal and telephone interviewing (CAPI and CATI) in comparison with paper-and-pencil (P&P) surveys of the same mode. The paper reviews the way various conceptions of data quality developed in the history of the field and summarizes empirical evidence supporting or disconfirming those conceptions. The first meaning of Adata quality@ was from an operational perspective. It was primarily concerned with the consistency and completeness of interview data as received from the field as measured at least in part by the post-interview correction burden. The second meaning viewed the intrinsic characteristics of computer-assisted (CAI) as improving survey data quality through such means as standardizing of the interview process, reducing the interviewer's clerical burden, providing greater opportunities for quality control, and correcting discovered errors in the field rather than in the office. The third meaning defined data quality empirically by comparing CAI and comparable P&P treatments in split-sample studies. In general, when CAI methods were used to emulate P&P methods, their results also closely resembled those of P&P surveys. The fourth conception saw CAI as adding to survey data quality by expanding the power of specific survey methods to collect data of greater scope, accuracy, realism, and customer value. When survey professionals speak of CAI methods as enhancing survey data quality, they typically seem to be referring to operational and intrinsic forms of data quality but they may also be encompassing its empirically demonstrated or expanded forms.
Access/Direct link Washington Statistical Society (abstract)
Year of publication1997
Bibliographic typeReports, seminars
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Web Survey Bibliography - 1997 (115)

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