Computer-assisted personal interviewing

Computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) is an interviewing technique in which the respondent or interviewer uses a computer to answer the questions. It is similar to computer-assisted telephone interviewing, except that the interview takes place in person instead of over the telephone. This method is usually preferred over a telephone interview when the questionnaire is long and complex. It has been classified as a personal interviewing technique because an interviewer is usually present to serve as a host and to guide the respondent. If no interviewer is present, the term Computer-Assisted Self Interviewing (CASI) may be used. An example of a situation in which CAPI is used as the method of data collection is the British Crime Survey.

Characteristics of this interviewing technique are:

Either the respondent or an interviewer sits at a computer terminal and answers a questionnaire using the keyboard or mouse.

Help screens and courteous error messages are provided.

Colorful screens and on and off-screen stimuli can add to the respondent's interest and involvement in the task.

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.

Computers have both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, they allow us to access the wealth of information that is available on the internet. They also allow us to analyze massive amounts of data very quickly, saving both time and money. On the other hand, some people worry that the increasing reliance on computers in our daily lives is beginning to prevent healthy social interactions