Telephone Survey Methodology

Telephone survey methods are widely used for the cost-effective and timely collection of data in sample surveys. Although telephone survey designs can vary on a number of dimensions, including how populations are sampled, technology employed, and protocol followed, nearly all involve issues of sampling design, questionnaire development, case management, interviewer training, quality control monitoring, and data processing. The mode does face a number of challenges, including the increase in the sheer volume of telephone numbers, the growing use of call screening devices and cellular telephones, and the proliferation of telemarketing. Keywords: telephone surveys; survey research; computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI); quality control monitoring