Envisioning the Survey Interview of the Future (eBook)

Praise forEnvisioning the Survey Interview of the Future

"This book is an excellent introduction to some brave new
technologies . . . and their possible impacts on the way surveys
might be conducted. Anyone interested in the future of survey
methodology should read this book." -Norman M. Bradburn, PhD,
National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago

"Envisioning the Survey Interview of the Future gathers some of
the brightest minds in alternative methods of gathering self-report
data, with an eye toward the future self-report sample survey.
Conrad and Schober, by assembling a group of talented survey
researchers and creative inventors of new software-based tools to
gather information from human subjects, have created a volume of
importance to all interested in imagining future ways of
interviewing." -Robert M. Groves, PhD, Survey Research Center,
University of Michigan

This collaboration provides extensive insight into the impact of
communication technology on survey research

As previously unimaginable communication technologies rapidly
become commonplace, survey researchers are presented with both
opportunities and obstacles when collecting and interpreting data
based on human response. Envisioning the Survey Interview of the
Future explores the increasing influence of emerging technologies
on the data collection process and, in particular, self-report data
collection in interviews, providing the key principles for using
these new modes of communication.

With contributions written by leading researchers in the fields
of survey methodology and communication technology, this
compilation integrates the use of modern technological developments
with established social science theory. The book familiarizes
readers with these new modes of communication by discussing the
challenges to accuracy, legitimacy, and confidentiality that
researchers must anticipate while collecting data, and it also
provides tools for adopting new technologies in order to obtain
high-quality results with minimal error or bias.

Envisioning the Survey Interview of the Future addresses
questions that researchers in survey methodology and communication
technology must consider, such as:

* How and when should new communication technology be adopted in
the interview process?

* What are the principles that extend beyond particular
technologies?

* Why do respondents answer questions from a computer differently
than questions from a human interviewer?

* How can systems adapt to respondents' thinking and feeling?

* What new ethical concerns about privacy and confidentiality are
raised from using new communication technologies?

With its multidisciplinary approach, extensive discussion of
existing and future technologies, and practical guidelines for
adopting new technology, Envisioning the Survey Interview of the
Future is an essential resource for survey methodologists,
questionnaire designers, and communication technologists in any
field that conducts survey research. It also serves as an excellent
supplement for courses in research methods at the
upper-undergraduate or graduate level.