Innovations in Computer Assisted Interviewing

Abstract

This paper reviews the state-of-the-art on dependent interviewing, a method of designing questions in panel surveys, which has become feasible and widely used since the advent of computer assisted techniques. I review the different rationales for using dependent interviewing, provide examples of how the method is implemented, evaluate the effects on survey processes and data quality (distinguishing between errors in responses and bias in estimates), and summarise some of the technical issues concerning the implementation of dependent interviewing. The paper ends with an outlook on work currently in progress in this field.