Improving the Quality of Survey Data Using CAPI Systems in Developing Countries

Controlling field interview quality is a major challenge in survey research. Even in high-quality surveys, interviewers often make mistakes that ultimately result in added error in results, including visiting the wrong locations, skipping questions or entire pages, failing to read the complete wording of the questions, or even committing fraud while filling out responses. Survey research conducted in developing countries has to deal with these problems more frequently than research conducted in advanced industrial countries. Computer assisted personal interview (CAPI) systems provide an ideal opportunity for improving the quality of the data by eliminating many sources of error and allowing unprecedented control of the field process. The Latin American Public Opinion Project’s (LAPOP) experience using ADGYS, an Android-based CAPI system, provides useful information on how this technology reduces interviewer-related error, offers opportunities to control the field process, and ultimately significantly improves the reliability and validity of survey data.