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The Impact of Computer-Assisted Interviewing on Interview Length

Author

Listed:
  • Nicole Watson

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne)

  • Roger Wilkins

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne)

Abstract

Computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) offers many attractive benefits over paper and pencil interviewing. There is, however, mixed evidence on the impact of CAPI on interview length, an important survey outcome in the context of length limits imposed by survey budgets and concerns over respondent burden. In this paper, recent data from a large, nationally representative panel study is used to investigate CAPI’s impact on interview length. A key feature of our analysis is that, through use of both experimental and quasiexperimental evidence, we examine the roles played by specific factors which, while typically associated with CAPI, vary in their extent and nature from study to study. We find that effects very much depend on how CAPI is implemented: the hardware and software adopted, the extent and nature of the dependent data introduced, and even interviewer workloads, can all have large influences on the CAPI impact—a finding that helps explain the conflicting results from previous studies. Overall, we conclude that, absent dependent data, CAPI will almost certainly increase interview lengths. However, the potential reductions in interview length from dependent data are very large, such that even modest levels of dependent data can lead to net reductions in interview lengths.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Watson & Roger Wilkins, 2012. "The Impact of Computer-Assisted Interviewing on Interview Length," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2012n10, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    • Handle: RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2012n10
    as

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    File URL: http://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/downloads/working_paper_series/wp2012n10.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark Wooden & Nicole Watson, 2007. "The HILDA Survey and its Contribution to Economic and Social Research (So Far)," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 83(261), pages 208-231, June.
    2. Nicole Watson & Roger Wilkins, 2012. "Experimental Change from Paper-Based Interviewing to Computer-Assisted Interviewing in the HILDA Survey," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2012n06, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    3. Jörg-Peter Schräpler & Jürgen Schupp & Gert G. Wagner, 2006. "Changing from PAPI to CAPI: A Longitudinal Study of Mode-Effects Based on an Experimental Design," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 593, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    4. Nicoletti, Cheti & Peracchi, Franco, 2004. "Survey response and survey characteristics: Micro-level evidence from the ECHP," Economics & Statistics Discussion Papers esdp04015, University of Molise, Department of Economics.
    5. Laurie, Heather, 2003. "From PAPI to CAPI: consequences for data quality on the British Household Panel Study," ISER Working Paper Series 2003-14, Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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