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Web Survey Bibliography

Title Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing: A Method of Capturing Sensitive Information
Author Forster, E., McCleery, A.
Source IASSIST Quarterly, 23, 2, pp. 26-38
Year 1999
Access date 19.10.2004
Full text pdf (130k)
Abstract This paper will discuss how Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) coped with collecting sensitive data in a difficult interview situation. A recent research project, funded by Scottish Homes (a UK Government Housing Agency for Scotland) used the CAPI technique to collect information on home ownership at the margins of affordability. The project used an innovative joint approach between the academic sector and a leading UK survey consultancy. It could be argued that a more sensitive method of collecting this sort of information would have been indepth interviews, which could then have been analysed using qualitative research methods. The paper will discuss the outcomes of using CAPI and quantitative research methods in such a sensitive project. It is suggested that the use of CAPI has achieved a better response rate on sensitive questions than other techniques would have. The use of CAPI has a number of well-known advantages, such as improvements in data quality and turnaround times. This paper will assess whether CAPI can deliver in a number of interview conditions or if its potential benefits will be realised only under certain conditions. It will critically review how the quantitative method worked in this specific situation before placing the discussion in its wider research methodology and research environment context.
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Year of publication1999
Bibliographic typeJournal article
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Web survey bibliography - 1999 (45)