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Automated Chat Application Surveys Using WhatsApp

Author

Listed:
  • Fei, Jennifer
  • Wolff, Jessica Sadye
  • Hotard, Michael
  • Ingham, Hannah
  • Khanna, Saurabh
  • Lawrence, Duncan
  • Tesfaye, Beza
  • Weinstein, Jeremy
  • Yasenov, Vasil
  • Hainmueller, Jens

Abstract

We present a method to conduct automated surveys over WhatsApp, a popular cross-platform messaging service. The method relies on a combination of the WhatsApp Business, Twilio, and Google APIs to design the survey flow, send and receive survey messages automatically, and facilitate data processing. Respondents complete the survey entirely within the WhatsApp application in the form of a chat conversation. WhatsApp surveys incur relatively low costs to both respondents and researchers and facilitate continued engagement with mobile populations as users can retain their WhatsApp number even if they change SIM cards and phone numbers. We describe the use of this method with two case studies where we surveyed refugees and migrants in Colombia, as well as resettled refugees in the U.S. The case studies offer preliminary evidence that automated surveys over WhatsApp provide a viable alternative for surveying and panel data collection. While the method is not without limitations, it offers a promising research tool with opportunities for diverse implementation and empirical study given the widespread global use of WhatsApp. We o?er documentation and a public code repository as supplementary materials to support researchers in applying this method in other contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Fei, Jennifer & Wolff, Jessica Sadye & Hotard, Michael & Ingham, Hannah & Khanna, Saurabh & Lawrence, Duncan & Tesfaye, Beza & Weinstein, Jeremy & Yasenov, Vasil & Hainmueller, Jens, 2020. "Automated Chat Application Surveys Using WhatsApp," SocArXiv j9a2y, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:j9a2y
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/j9a2y
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    Cited by:

    1. Ndashimye, Felix & Hebie, Oumarou & Tjaden, Jasper, 2021. "Effectiveness of WhatsApp for measuring migration in follow-up phone surveys - Lessons from a mode experiment in two low-income countries during COVID contact restrictions," OSF Preprints khd32, Center for Open Science.

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