dii has implemented a stringent quality control system at every project process.
Project Set-Up
Our service begins with the evaluation of the needs and business objectives of our clients. A clear understanding of the underlying client motivation is the best basis for developing the most suitable methodology.
Determination of project parameters with client
- client motivations & objectives
- market research methodology
- assessment topics for questionnaire development
- target respondents
- sample size & segment split
- format of deliverables
- time lines
- budget
Project preparation within dii
- selection of project team
- questionnaire development in cooperation with client and under consultation of specialists for sanity checking
- customized CATI programming
- team briefing(s)
- sample compilation and CAP set-up for sample management
- pilot interviews with feedback and final amendments
CAP – Computer Aided Processes
CAP is a custom-programmed software developed in-house and features:
- contact database development, administration and evaluation
- sample set-up and quota control and reporting
- calendar function for call scheduling
- respondent status and call management
- connectivity to telephone (VoIP), fax and e-mail
- team performance (e.g. interviewer productivity) monitoring and rating
- project management support – extensive reporting on interview quantity, interview quality status, times, and budget; project history tracking
- integrated basic CATI-tool and connectivity to custom-programmed CATI mask
CATI – Computer Assisted Telephone Interview
CATI is widely used in large-scale quantitative market research to reduce data entry errors. While commercially available CATI software products offer a certain flexibility in questionnaire design, they are not geared towards dealing with highly complex questionnaires and qualitative research aspects. Thus, dii resorts to custom-programmed software; a dii CATI typically features:
- connectivity to the CAP contact database
- integrated logical controls, e.g. automated warnings/prompts for interviewers to clarify in case an answer is not possible or not in line with expectations
- complex skip patterns, even across several question layers (e.g. a question is only asked if several conditions are fulfilled); automated elimination of irrelevant questions and response options (e.g. if a hospital does not have digital equipment, questions about software integration are obsolete, etc.)
- integrated instructions and explanations (e.g. product definitions, prompts, background information, etc.)
- free comment fields wherever useful
PTL – Project Team Leader
In order to avoid reducing quality control to mere random checks, dii allocates a dedicated Project Team Leader to each project.
Key tasks of the PTL are:
- evaluation of pilot-interviews to detect possible amendment needs
- first contact for interviewer team
- regular team meetings
- quality check of every single interview transcript for sanity, completeness and logic– revision by interviewer if required before final approval
- communication of questionnaire-related and analytical issues (e.g. obsolete questions, common misunderstandings, etc.)