The premier e-journal resource for the public opinion and survey research community The Evolution of Audio Recording in Field Surveys

RTI International By taking advantage of new technology, survey managers can boost the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of data collection. One such technology is computer audio-recorded interviewing (CARI), a way to ensure the quality of data through unobtrusive digital recording. This article reviews the evolution of CARI technology, with an emphasis on its feasibility for routine use with field surveys. Traditional methods of monitoring field staff include live observation or re-contacting the respondent to confirm the interview’s authenticity and inquire about the professionalism of the interviewer. With CARI the process is much easier. Sound files can be created electronically without the need for external equipment and can be transmitted along with the usual response data files. Because the recording process is “invisible ” once consent has been given, it can provide a faithful representation of the reality of in-person data collection. Audio recording supports quality control for field surveys (Biemer et al