Computer Audio-Recorded Interviewing (CARI)
A tool for monitoring field interviewers and improving field data collection
Thissen, M., Fisher, C., Barber, L., & Sattaluri, S. (2009). Computer Audio-Recorded Interviewing (CARI): A tool for monitoring field interviewers and improving field data collection. In Proceedings of Statistics Canada Symposium 2008: Data Collection http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-522-x/2008000/article/10955-eng.pdf
Abstract
Survey managers are still discovering the usefulness of digital audio recording for monitoring and managing field staff. Its value so far has been for confirming the authenticity of interviews, detecting curbstoning, offering a concrete basis for feedback on interviewing performance and giving data collection managers an intimate view of in-person interviews. In addition, computer audio-recorded interviewing (CARI) can improve other aspects of survey data quality, offering corroboration or correction of response coding by field staff. Audio recordings may replace or supplement in-field verbatim transcription of free responses, and speech-to-text technology might make this technique more efficient in the future.
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