Computer-assisted personal interviewing

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Computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) is an interviewing technique similar to computer-assisted telephone interviewing, except that the interview takes place in person instead of over the telephone. The respondent or the interviewer sits in front of a computer terminal and enters the answers into the computer. If an emphasis is put on the fact, that no personal interviewer is present, sometimes the term Computer-assisted self interviewing (CASI) is also used.

- The respondent sits in front of a computer terminal and answers a questionnaire on the screen by using the keyboard or a mouse.
- Help screens and courteous error messages are provided.
- The colorful screens and on and off-screen stimuli add to the respondent's interest and involvement in the task.
- This method has been classified as a personal interview technique since an interviewer is usually present to serve as a host and to guide the respondent as needed.
- This approach is used in shopping malls, preceded by the intercept and screening process.
- It is also used to conduct business-to-business research at trade shows or conventions.

For example, CAPI is used as the method of data collection for the British Crime Survey.

[edit] Advantages

This form of interview is substantially cheaper when a large number of respondents is required, because

• There is no need to recruit or pay surveyors.
• There is no need to transcribe the results into a computer form. The computer program can be constructed so as to place the results directly in a format that can be read be statistical analysis programs such as PSPP or DAP.
• The program can be placed on a web site, potentially catching a world wide audience.

[edit] Disadvantages

• The survey is likely to attract only respondents who are "computer savvy", thus introducing potential bias to the survey.

[edit] External links

Directories of proprietary software:

• Association for Survey Computing Software Register

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