GeoPoll’s proprietary mobile application for telephone and face-to-face interviews facilitates interviewer flow, data collection, interviewer oversight and can be utilized on any Android smartphone or tablet. This wholesome update is a culmination of many years of experience conducting CATI and CAPI surveys in emerging markets, and our resolve to provide useful solutions to our clients and partners across the world.

The all-new application represents a significant upgrade from our previous solution. We redesigned the user interface to make the application easier, faster, and more intuitive for interviewers. It is both beautiful and packed with new capabilities for interacting with questions, recording notes, going back to previous questions, and more. The result is a seamless experience for both interviewers and respondents.

Quality

To reduce human error and streamline the interview process, the application also provides automatic sample management. The sample management feature enables interviewers to easily access the sample by simply starting a new interview (which will queue up the number and bring it to their phone dialer) so that all the interviewer needs to do is press the dial button. The application can still also be used with an external dialer when needed.

To meet GeoPoll’s strict survey and data quality standards, the new application automatically records calls for quality evaluation. It also includes a case log for interviewers to monitor the progress of surveys, and the option to schedule a call back to resume interviews at a later time.

For Supervisors, the application supports quality callbacks and is integrated with GeoPoll’s other platforms, enabling them to review their team’s progress and do quality checks – including reviewing their team’s audio recordings.

Enhancements to the application’s offline capabilities enable interviewers to seamlessly conduct surveys even without internet access.

Leverage the GeoPoll Interviewer App for your Research

Combined with the largest database of respondents and more than ten years of experience conducting surveys in emerging countries, the GeoPoll Interviewer application provides a revolutionary voice and face-to-face data collection tool. The App’s inherent features, such as multi-lingual support, offline capability, sample management, quota management, quality scoring, multiple question types, and the ability to recruit interviewers, create an all-in-one solution that can be adapted to any scenario.

Data collected from the application can be reviewed and analyzed in real time with support from GeoPoll’s one-of-a-kind research platform. Results can be made available to the client immediately in any format required.

Contact us to learn more about our capabilities for your next research project or to get access to our new and improved application for your surveys or call center work.

The post Introducing the New and Improved GeoPoll Interviewer Platform appeared first on GeoPoll.

In this article, we go through each GeoPoll mobile survey mode, in summary, highlighting their best use cases and benefits.

Short Message Service (SMS/ text message)

SMS surveys are self-administered surveys sent to respondents one question at a time (see an example here). SMS surveys do not require respondents to have internet connectivity or airtime credit, and the survey invitation is received even if the phone is turned off or out of service range when sent. Respondents can also answer the questions at their leisure, ensuring privacy when taking surveys with sensitive questions.

Learn more about SMS surveys >>>

Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)

CATI surveys are administered through experienced call center interviewers based in the country they are calling. GeoPoll interviewers undergo rigorous training for each project they administer and are overseen by dedicated in-market call center supervisors and GeoPoll’s senior team. GeoPoll’s proprietary mobile application for CATI interviewers facilitates interviewer flow, data collection, and interviewer oversight and can be utilized on any smartphone or tablet. Features of our CATI Application include offline mode, call recording, multi-lingual support, and more.

Learn more about live call interviews >>>

Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI)

Built on the same system as GeoPoll’s CATI application, GeoPoll’s CAPI application facilitates face-to-face data collection in the field, removing the need for paper questionnaires and manual data collation. The CAPI application does not require interviewers to have internet access when conducting surveys and provides interviewer metrics for overseeing projects.

Learn more about face to face interviews >>>

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

IVR is a self-administered survey method in which pre-recorded voice surveys are initiated via phone call, and respondents key in answers on their dial-pad. IVR is useful for reaching illiterate populations through voice calls without training call center interviewers and can therefore send a mass amount of surveys at once through automated software.

Learn more about IVR >>>

Mobile Web

Mobile Web surveys are self-administered surveys requiring respondents to have internet-capable phones with an active WiFi or data connection. Respondents are sent an initial SMS message with a link to a survey, which drives respondents to their web browser to complete the survey. Mobile web surveys support GPS location, video/picture questions, and matrix/ table/ grid format questions.

Learn more about GeoPoll mobile links >>>

Mobile Application

Mobile app surveys require a smartphone, although the mobile application does allow for offline use. Respondents who download the GeoPoll mobile application are sent notifications to participate in surveys through GeoPoll’s mobile app. The mobile app includes, with respondent consent, additional capabilities such as GPS location, picture taking, and passive data collection.

Learn more about the GeoPoll App >>>

Focus Groups

GeoPoll can implement focus group research through mobile chat groups overseen by an experienced moderator. Focus groups allow for sharing video and picture content, structured discussions, and other tasks and can be maintained over a more extended time than in-person groups.

Learn more about MROCs >>>

WhatsApp Mode

WhatsApp is GeoPoll’s latest survey mode and one of the most robust owing to WhatsApp’s reach, affordability, and ability to conduct rich media surveys within an environment most respondents are familiar with. Surveys on WhatsApp can be longer and more complex than SMS, and we can use audio and visual stimuli, meaning we can send picture or video content for respondents to answer questions about and even get photos and recordings back from respondents.

Learn more about GeoPoll WhatsApp surveys >>>

Conduct mobile research in emerging markets

At GeoPoll, we have spent years studying how to best connect with survey respondents in emerging markets worldwide. Picking the correct mode for accomplishing your research goals is one of the most important decisions before data collection begins. Contact GeoPoll today to discuss what research mode is best for your project.

The post GeoPoll’s Mobile Survey Modes and How Each Works appeared first on GeoPoll.

CATI stands for Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing. CATI is a common research mode in which interviewers conduct surveys via telephone calls using a computer-assisted method, such as a software system loaded onto a computer or mobile device. In the CATI survey method, interviewers (also called survey enumerators) use CATI software which guides them through a survey, records responses, and monitors response and completion rates, among other features. The CATI software or application houses the survey design, including the full questionnaire and related instructions, survey routing or logic, and all questions and answer options.

Benefits of CATI Survey Research

CATI improves on traditional voice call methods, which use a pen-and-paper system to review questions and record answers. Using a CATI application or software, data is securely stored, and interviewers can focus on the interview rather than other items such as survey routing. While each CATI software has unique features, general advantages of CATI software include:

• Performs survey routing automatically based on the inputted answer; If a respondent answers ‘yes’ to a specific question, the CATI software will automatically display the correct next question
• Inputs and uploads data to a central system automatically, removing the need for manual data input based on pen-and-paper questionnaires. This dramatically reduces data processing errors and time spent uploading data
• Stores questionnaires digitally, so they can be updated or changed on-the-fly if issues arise with question-wording or skip logic
• Automatically tracks survey production statistics, including response rates, completion rates, dropoff rates, and more
• Allows for remote oversight of interviewers through analytics, including total interview length, individual question length, and response patterns, which can be automatically fed into a quality assurance dashboard and monitored regularly
• Provides recordings of interviews which can be examined for further data quality checks
• Compared to other voice call research methods, such as Interactive Voice Response, CATI surveys are a closer alternative to face-to-face interviews. This is because they are interviewer-administered, allow for follow-up questions from the interviewer, and can gather qualitative data through open-ended questions.

Challenges of CATI Survey Research

Some challenges should be taken into consideration when embarking on a CATI research project. These include:

• Interviewers must be trained not only on the specific questionnaire but also on the CATI software they are using, as each can have a different flow and features
• If questionnaires are scripted incorrectly into the CATI software, interviewers may not notice and incorrectly administer surveys
• Open-ended answers still need to be typed into the CATI software, which can leave room for error when transcribing
• Depending on the CATI software, it may be difficult to modify previous answers as navigating backwards is more challenging than when using pen-and-paper questionnaires

While researchers must keep these challenges in mind, they can be mitigated through interviewer training programs and regular cross-checks of questionnaire scripting, among other quality control measures.

How CATI Research Works

The CATI research process may differ slightly based on the research group being used. When working with GeoPoll, who has an existing network of over 40 call centers located around the globe, the process for a new project typically follows these steps:

Phase 1: Concept and Initiation:In this phase, GeoPoll will discuss the project specifications with the client, conduct a feasibility assessment, decide on a sampling frame and sampling approach such as random digit dialing, and put together a budget based on the targeting, sample size, questionnaire length, and other considerations.  

Phase 2: Project Definition and Planning: Next, GeoPoll’s execution team will work with the client to design a questionnaire using best practices for CATI survey design, translate the questionnaire, and conduct extensive project-specific interviewer training. For some projects, GeoPoll will conduct a pilot that can be used as a quality check before the study goes into full production.

Phase 3: Survey Production and Monitoring:Once the planning is completed GeoPoll’s team will move a survey into the production phase. In this phase, phone numbers are generated or provided to interviewers who begin making live calls. Throughout survey production, survey data and analytics which demonstrate interviewer progress are regularly monitored to ensure the highest-quality outputs. Call recordings are also used for an additional level of quality assurance.

Phase 4: Data Analysis and Outputs:Once the data is collected and quality checks are undertaken, it is passed onto GeoPoll’s research team for analysis. The research team performs another round of quality checks and then prepares data in the desired output, including raw data files, written reports, excel tables, and more.   

CATI vs CAPI and CAWI 

One common question surrounding Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing is how it compares to other modes. You can read this post to learn more about how CATI compares to IVR, an automated voice-call mode that does not use live interviewers. Other methods CATI can be compared to are CAPI, Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing, and CAWI, Computer Assisted Web Interviewing. CAPI is a face-to-face research mode which, similarly to CATI, is aided by a software system that enables the interviewer to view questions and be automatically routed through a survey.

Many of the benefits listed above for CATI apply to CAPI surveys. Using CAPI instead of a pen-and-paper method reduces data input errors and allows for remote oversight of interviewers when they are in the field, often showing where they are through GPS and tracking metrics such as length of the interview. A benefit of CAPI over CATI is that you can reach a wider population, as CAPI does not require respondents to have mobile phones. However, CAPI surveys can take a long time to conduct as interviewers need to travel from house to house to gather survey responses.a

Computer Assisted Web Interviewing is another name for link-based or online surveys. These surveys are opened by respondents in a web page, who complete the questionnaire themselves. CAWI surveys are self-administered, so do not allow for the type of follow-ups that CATI provides for, and only reach those with an internet connection. Benefits of CAWI or any online survey mode are the speed at which a large group of respondents can be surveyed, and the relatively low cost.

CATI Software in Africa, Asia, and Latin America 

GeoPoll conducts CATI surveys out of over 40 call centers we operate throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America, using our own proprietary CATI application. GeoPoll’s CATI software application was built specifically for use in countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It has features including an offline mode, call recording, built-in quality checks, multi-lingual capabilities, and more. To learn more about GeoPoll’s CATI services or run your own CATI survey through GeoPoll, please contact us today.

The post CATI Surveys in Market Research | Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing appeared first on GeoPoll.

Research Methodologies

Self-Administered Surveys 

A survey is a series of simple questions that build on each other and are designed in a specific order to explore one or more topics. Depending on the survey, questions and responses can be text or multimedia. Self-administered surveys are surveys that are completed by the respondent and are often sent to and completed by SMS, web link, or mobile application. 

Respondents can complete surveys via Short Message Service (SMS or text message) one question at a time. This method is ideal for some populations, such as those found in countries in sub-Saharan Africa or Latin America, because it does not require respondents to have internet connectivity. 

Surveys can also be internet-based via a web link, mobile web link or a mobile application. With mobile web links, respondents with internet-capable phones click on a link within an initial SMS message and then complete the survey in a basic web browser. Mobile web supports video/picture questions, and question formats such as matrices which are not supported in SMS surveys.

Respondents who own smartphones can complete surveys through a mobile application which, with the respondent’s consent, has additional capabilities for GPS location, passive data collection and picture taking. Mobile applications can also facilitate tasks such as retail audits or billboard monitoring. 

Interactive Voice Interviews (IVR) are a self-administered audio interview, in which respondents listen to audio pre-recordings and answer questions using their dialpad. This method is useful for reaching illiterate populations through voice calls, without needing to train call center interviewers, however response rates can be lower than when using CATI, a method outlined below.

Interviews through CATI, CAPI, or Pen and Paper  

Similar to surveys, interviews are a series of questions that explore one or more topics. One major difference is that the interview methods discussed here are interviewer-administered, rather than self-administered. Depending on the targeted population and the amount of time needed for data collection, interviews can be done in person or over the phone. Interviewers must be trained, fluent in the respondent’s language of choice, and familiar with their cultural context.

Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI), is done over the phone with the interviewer based in a country-specific call center. This methodology allows for interviewers with multiple language capabilities to easily speak with respondents across a large or hard-to-access region more quickly than is possible using face-to-face interviews. 

For in-person interviews, Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) facilitates face-to-face data collection in the field through a mobile application and removes the need for paper questionnaires or manual data collection. Pen and paper interviews are still used in some contexts but are inefficient and can lead to data input errors or interviewer error.

Observative Research

Observation is a qualitative methodology where researchers witness a respondent’s natural behavior in their usual environment. Depending on the goal, a researcher may engage with the situation or remain at a distance and only watch. The benefit of this methodology is that researchers can understand how a respondent actually acts, rather than what they self-report.

Observational research may be used as a precursor to a survey when researchers need more information about a specific question. Or, observation might be used if researchers are concerned that self-reported behaviors may differ from a person’s actions, even if this inaccuracy is unintentional. 

Focus Groups

A focus group is a small group of people (usually 6-8) who represent a larger group. In traditional focus groups,  respondents meet in one location with a researcher for up to two hours and discuss specific research topics. Similar to surveys or interviews, the researcher will lead respondents through a series of predetermined questions. This methodology allows for discussion and collaboration between respondents.

Digital focus groups can also be administered through either computer-based chats, often called Market Research Online Communities, or using mobile-based group chats, such as ones GeoPoll has facilitated with brands including Unilever. 

Big Data Analytics

Analysis of large amounts of data is a useful way to understand patterns and trends. Gartner defines big data as “data that contains greater variety arriving in increasing volumes and with ever-higher velocity.”  Big data can be valuable in identifying certain types of consumer insights. It can lead to robust decision-making around consumer needs or satisfaction and help predict future opportunities for innovation. However, the large amount of information is not infallible. Just as important is the interpretation and application of this data. While big data analysis tries to make sense of large amounts of information, market research methodologies like surveys and interviews can answer a specific research question. 

Market Research Methods During COVID-19

In-person research is one of the most traditional types of data collection and still remains popular today. However, the worldwide outbreak of coronavirus has made in-person research impossible, and researchers must find other ways to collect data that keep both themselves and their respondents safe. 

Using the aforementioned remote methodologies, which include SMS, mobile web link, CATI, and mobile-based focus groups,  data collection is still possible and safe during coronavirus. GeoPoll has experience transitioning face-to-face research to remote methodologies and has the existing infrastructure to support robust data collection. Our team are experts in remote data collection methodologies and can quickly transition an in-person study to a remote, mobile-based methodology. To speak to a member of our team about your project, please contact us today. For more information about GeoPoll’s research methodologies and conducting research throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America, download our guide to research in emerging regions. 

The post Market Research Methods appeared first on GeoPoll.

GeoPoll has been increasingly tasked with transitioning face-to-face research projects to CATI, a remote research methodology which gathers data through voice calls. As a result, over the past few months we have been rapidly opening remote call centers, training survey interviewers, and deploying new Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing projects. We are pleased to share that in June 2020 GeoPoll’s CATI services operated in 41 countries, and we managed over 700 survey interviewers who completed more than 85,000 voice call interviews.

GeoPoll oversees call centers throughout Africa, Latin America, and Asia that enable remote data collection on vital indicators including food security, access to healthcare, and more. We are conducting studies for partners that directly relate to the pandemic, such as the Insights2Impact COVID-19 tracker, as well as those which track the indirect effects of coronavirus, and other studies which are not currently possible to administer in-person due to coronavirus and related travel restrictions.

Conducting survey research through CATI is an excellent substitute for in-person research, as this method can reach illiterate populations, only requires the respondent has access to a basic mobile handset, and is administered by a trained interviewer, rather than being self-administered by the respondent. CATI also allow for longer survey questionnaires than can typically be used in modes such as SMS, and have been found to have higher response rates and completion rates than Interactive Voice Response (IVR).

GeoPoll’s team is experienced in quickly launching new call centers and CATI projects. Our CATI operations are led by our dedicated solutions team, consisting of GeoPoll staff located in the United States, Kenya, and South Africa, and are supported by trusted GeoPoll partners around the globe. Data collection and interviewer monitoring are enabled by GeoPoll’s proprietary CATI application, which was built specifically for use in emerging markets.

GeoPoll Computer Assisted Interviewing Application

GeoPoll’s CATI application is a simple to use application that facilitates GeoPoll’s CATI survey projects. Using the CATI application, interviewers are guided through each survey and can easily record responses and take notes during an interview. The application operates using only a mobile device or tablet, meaning interviewers do not need specialized hardware to get started. This has enabled GeoPoll to remotely onboard and train new interviewers during the COVID-19 crisis, when many of our call centers have transitioned to operating remotely.

Features of the GeoPoll CATI Application include:

• Supports multiple languages and scripts
• An offline mode allows for interviews to be conducted when device is offline and automatically uploaded when connectivity is present
• Supports multiple question types including multiple choice, open ended, media capture, and more
• Includes a secure login and multiple levels of access to ensure all data is secured
• Integrated with phone dialer
• Provides immediate airtime incentives in many markets

Conduct CATI Interviews in Africa, Asia, Latin America

GeoPoll has conducted CATI interviews in the following countries and can launch in new markets within 30 days. To request more information on our capabilities please contact us.

Africa CATI Capabilities:

GeoPoll has completed CATI projects in all of the below countries in sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa:

• Angola
• Benin
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Côte D’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Ethiopia
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Kenya
• Liberia
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Republic of Congo
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Tunisia
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

The Americas CATI Capabilities:

GeoPoll has completed CATI projects in all of the below countries in North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean:

• Colombia
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Venezuela

Asia and The Middle East CATI Capabilities:

GeoPoll has completed CATI projects in all of the below countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia and The Middle East

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• India
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Sri Lanka

The post GeoPoll’s CATI Operations in Africa, Asia, Latin America appeared first on GeoPoll.

In addition to transitioning all of our offices to work-from-home models, GeoPoll was faced with the task of moving our call centers from centralized locations to fully remote operations. GeoPoll currently oversees over 20 call centers with partners around the globe, and makes tens of thousands of CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) calls each week. While research modes such as SMS and mobile web link can easily be administered remotely by GeoPoll’s at-home teams, there are additional considerations that had to be made when switching live call centers to a more remote model.

Call centers typically include a supervisor and a cadre of interviewers making calls out of a central space, supplied with tablets and mobile phones, internet connectivity, and reliable power. GeoPoll’s call centers are located in countries which may not have reliable internet or power connectivity, which adds an additional challenge to those already presented by moving a team to operate remotely within the span of a few days. However, by the end of March GeoPoll’s team was able to successfully transition all of our call centers to virtual operations without interrupting ongoing data collection. Below are some of the plans we put into place while completing this transition.

Ensuring CATI Interviewers Had Access to Internet, Mobile Networks, and Power

The first step of transitioning interviewers to work from their homes was ensuring they had access to the tools they need to continue work. GeoPoll uses our own proprietary CATI software to administer surveys, which is an adaptable solution designed for use in emerging regions: Interviewers only need the GeoPoll CATI application, a charged mobile phone and tablet, and daily data connection to conduct interviews. The CATI application has an offline mode, allowing interviewers to continue their work even if they are not connected to the internet during the interview.

While transitioning our teams to work from home, GeoPoll conducted an equipment audit for all interviewers, ensuring they had functional devices. We have also provided interviewers with backup power supplies in case of power outages. Due to a lack of stable internet connections in many areas where GeoPoll operates, interviewers are supplied with airtime credits so that data can be synced to the GeoPoll platform mid-day, in the afternoon, and at the end of each day. This allows data to continue to flow through GeoPoll’s platform despite the remote nature of each call center.

Increasing Remote Oversight of Call Centers

A concern over transitioning any team to work from a new environment is the change in or lack of in-person supervision provided when teams are dispersed. GeoPoll already had several processes in place to monitor the performance of call centers, individual interviewers, and projects and is now following an enhanced process to oversee interviewers. This process includes random video checks by supervisors, daily progress monitoring by both call center supervisors and GeoPoll’s senior staff, and our usual automated and manual data quality control checks, which flag any unusual data patterns. GeoPoll also conducts reviews via call recording and call-backs on a percentage of calls in each project.

One of the most important elements of this remote tracking is the GeoPoll dashboard, which automatically provides updates on statistics such as call length, number of calls placed, and completion rates per interviewer. An example of the GeoPoll dashboard can be seen below; it shows a real-time view of project progress and allows GeoPoll to immediately identify any unexpected issues with interviewer performance or data collection.

Supporting Remote Teams and Adapting as Needed

As the coronavirus has spread, GeoPoll has provided our teams with guidance on how to work from home and manage remote workers effectively. We have also shared health guidelines provided by WHO to all employees. Senior GeoPoll team members are in regular contact with call center supervisors and are ready to support where needed. In addition, GeoPoll and our call centers have contingency plans in plans in the case of any employee falls ill or is otherwise unable to work.

GeoPoll recognizes that in a rapidly changing environment there are often unanticipated challenges that arise, and is prepared to adapt our operations to changing situations. We are proud that by remaining flexible and responding quickly to changes, we have been able to continue our operations as normal and provide organizations around the globe with the vital data they need. To learn more about GeoPoll’s remote call centers, please contact us.

The post Transitioning to Remote Call Centers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America appeared first on GeoPoll.

Latin America & the Caribbean is a vast area that spreads from Mexico to the islands that make up the Caribbean and throughout South America. The region is characterized by a 

In Venezuela, political unrest and violence have created an acute humanitarian crisis with high numbers of the population fleeing to neighboring countries. Additionally, Latin America is at risk for natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes that could hurt fragile economies. Areas of promise in the region include a growing tourism industry and an increase in funding from venture capital. Growing levels of mobile and smartphone penetration also contribute to economic growth and increased connectivity in the region; It is expected that by 2025 73% of the population will have mobile phones, and mobile internet will have a 64% penetration rate.

As economic advisors, investors, and humanitarian organizations keep a close eye on developments in the region, organizations will require research to better understand on-the-ground situations. As with other emerging areas, researching in Latin America presents unique challenges that must be addressed before embarking on a project. In addition to the diversity in dialects and cultures found across the region, certain research methodologies such as online surveys are not as representative in Latin America as they would be in developed countries. Below we outline some of the different methods that can be used to conduct research in Latin America:

In-Person Interviews in Latin America

Latin America has traditionally relied on in-person research, but it can be difficult to reach some groups through face-to-face interviews. The danger of sending interviewers to certain areas makes gathering data from the lower socioeconomic groups challenging. On the opposite end of the spectrum, wealthier populations often live in gated communities or are unwilling to open doors to researchers.

Online Research in Latin America

While internet penetration rates have grown in Latin America, penetration varies by country and also within each country, with wealthier populations having higher rates of access. Additionally, many of those who access the internet do so via their mobile devices. While online research can be conducted in Latin America, researchers must take into consideration the populations they are aiming to reach and ensure that studies are designed to work on mobile screens.

Voice Call or CATI Research in Latin America

The growth of mobile penetration in Latin America has led more researchers to consider voice call interviews, often administered through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing or CATI applications. CATI research can reach populations even when security threats are present, and allows for illiterate populations to be interviewed. Due to the number of regional dialects and differing cultural contexts within Latin America, CATI research should be done by specially recruited and trained interviewers.

SMS or Text Message Research in Latin America

As with CATI research, growing mobile penetration rates can allow for research to be conducted via SMS or text message survey. SMS surveys are shorter in length than those administered through voice call, in-person, or online methods, but can be effective at gathering data quickly from many segments of a population.

Conduct Research in Latin America with GeoPoll

GeoPoll is experienced in conducting research from hard-to-reach populations in emerging regions around the world, including in Latin America. We undertake work in several countries within Latin American and can quickly launch in new markets via several of the methodologies mentioned above. To learn more about GeoPoll’s capabilities and coverage in Latin American, please contact us today.  

The post Conducting Research in Latin America & the Caribbean  appeared first on GeoPoll.

Accurate and timely data collection is an essential part of

Data collection in the Sahel can help international and humanitarian organizations understand the repercussions of climate or political changes in the region and mitigate the impact on the people of the Sahel. Additionally, access to accurate on-the-ground data is a proven part of early warning systems. GeoPoll has extensive experience conducting research in vulnerable areas through mobile-based methodologies, and below we review the challenges and opportunities for conducting research in the Sahel.  

The need for accurate data collection in the Sahel

Accurate data collection is an essential part of monitoring and predicting problems as well as providing quick and targeted aid. Families in the Sahel are vulnerable to food insecurity and malnutrition, worsened by the region’s history of droughts and climate change. USAID, in collaboration with Save the Children, has demonstrated the value of a data-based early warning system in the Sahel. Since 2013, these organizations have been conducting a Household Economy Analysis (HEA) on food security. Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Senegal have all used the data to help crisis or conflict-affected families. In 2015, HEA data allowed more than 14.8 million people to be provided with support like seasonal safety nets or livelihoods, demonstrating how data collection in the Sahel can build resilience within the region. 

Challenges of data collection in the Sahel

While conducting research in the Sahel is essential, it can be challenging because of the infrastructure, conflict, and cultural context. Some  challenges of conducting research in Africa and specifically the Sahel include: 

• Infrastructure: The Sahel has infrastructure challenges such as unmapped areas, inadequate roads, unreliable energy services or lack of access to clean water that can make data collection in the Sahel a challenge. Face-to-face research is particularly affected by infrastructure, which is why GeoPoll often uses alternative methodologies to reach respondents. 
• Violence and Conflict: Some countries in the Sahel experience conflict, social disruption, or are vulnerable to violent extremism and terrorist attacks. This not only makes fact-to-face research dangerous, but disrupts the lives, internet access, and location of populations. 
• Number of languages and Cultural Context: Because the Sahel spans ten different countries, this region requires specialized experience with language and understanding of each local culture. GeoPoll’s voice call interviewers are carefully selected for their geographic location, language skills, and local knowledge.
• Low Population Concentration: Many areas in the Sahel have very low population density – the desert areas of Mali and Niger, for example, experience populations of just 20 people per square meter. In addition to the infrastructure challenges mentioned above, this contributes to the difficulty of conducting in-person research efficiently.

How to conduct CATI research in the Sahel

Collecting data in the Sahel can be challenging, but GeoPoll has had success with using the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) research method for remote data collection in multiple locations. GeoPoll has extensive experience launching CATI centers and quickly training interviewers who represent a variety of backgrounds and languages.

We currently operate call centers throughout Africa, including those in the Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. Additional call centers are located in Botswana, Central African Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya (from which we conduct interviews in Somalia), Liberia, Namibia, and South Africa. By using CATI, GeoPoll has been able to overcome the challenges of collecting data in areas where displacement and conflict are common, and infrastructure and other factors prohibit in-person research.    

Benefits of Conducting CATI Research with GeoPoll

GeoPoll can recruit interviewers and launch call centers in just weeks. Our proprietary CATI application allows us to manage the survey process from end-to-end, with features including: 

• Full control over question scripting, including multiple logic questions, skip logic, and randomization that allows for complex and customized surveys
• Questions displayed via a simple interface that streamlines the survey process. 
• Secure data storage and offline capabilities
• Immediate access to results
• Survey progress tracked in real time to ensure high-quality data 

GeoPoll is currently collecting data in the Sahel region and can set up any research project quickly. Contact us to request more information on our capabilities in the Sahel. 

The post Data Collection in the Sahel appeared first on GeoPoll.

Similarities between IVR and CATI Research Modes

IVR and CATI are modes most often used to collect survey data, and they both leverage voice calls to collect responses from survey respondents. Voice calls are preferable to other phone-based research modes such as text message in certain circumstances, such as when the target population has high illiteracy rates, as is often the case in rural areas. Respondents for either mode may be recruited through a research company such as GeoPoll, a pre-identified list of beneficiaries or customers, or by random digit dialing, in which phone numbers are randomly generated in order to gather respondents from a wide area.

IVR and CATI surveys both start with a phone call to the respondent’s phone number that they must answer in order to take part in a survey, and this is followed by a series of questions that the respondent must answer. However, the two modes start to diverge once the respondent picks up the phone and starts answering questions.

Differences between IVR and CATI Research Modes

The biggest difference between Interactive Voice Response and Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing is that IVR methods rely on a pre-recorded voice recording to ask questions to respondents, while CATI requires trained interviewers to make live calls to respondents. In IVR, respondents must key in or speak answers to an automated system, similar to the ones commonly used when calling customer service hotlines. After each question, a new pre-recorded segment is relayed to the respondent until the survey is completed.

In the CATI research mode, interviewers make calls themselves, and they are the ones noting down the respondents’ answers and reading the next question from a script. CATI interviewers use specialized software to dial phone numbers, record the answers they are given, and read the next question based on any skip logic that is included. Because they are administering surveys themselves, CATI interviewers must be trained, and they often operate out of a physical call center that has to be maintained, neither of which is needed for IVR calls.

Due to the ways in which surveys are administered in IVR and CATI modes, there are also large differences in the number of respondents each can reach in a set period of time. Automated IVR software makes it a good mode for calling very large sample sizes, while CATI requires live interviewers, and cannot accomplish the same number of calls in the same time period without a huge number of interviewers. Because of the costs required to train and host CATI interviewers, it is often assumed that CATI is much more expensive than IVR. This can be the case, however, it is important to note that IVR often has very low response rates, and the cost of airtime to make enough calls to get the desired number of completed surveys can add up quickly. Below are some pros and cons of IVR and CATI to consider:

Pros of Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

• Can reach large sample sizes quickly
• Can be more cost-effective than other voice-call modes
• Can reach illiterate populations
• No need to train interviewers

Cons of Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

• Low response rates may lead to longer timelines and higher costs
• The respondent must pick-up when the call is administered
• Restrictions on what types of questions can be asked due to recorded nature
• Long surveys are difficult to administer due to high drop-off rates

Pros of Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing

• Can reach illiterate populations
• Longer surveys can be administered due to higher engagement levels with an interviewer
• Can ask open-ended questions to gather qualitative data when needed
• Interviewers can offer to call respondents back at more convenient times
• Can use multiple interviewers (for example, male and female, or with different dialects) in order to reach all demographic groups

Cons of Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing 

• Requires interviewer recruiting and training by yourself or through a research agency
• Costs can be high due to the need for interviewers and call center space
• The volume of calls made in a time period depends on the number of interviewers hired

Conduct Voice Call Surveys with GeoPoll

GeoPoll conducts voice calls surveys through CATI, using our own CATI software, trained interviewers, and call centers, and can also conduct surveys via IVR. Leverage our database of respondents throughout the world and expertise in conducting voice call surveys by contacting us for your next research project.

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This CATI center was opened in July, following a GeoPoll-led training with local call center staff. GeoPoll trained local staff on how to use the GeoPoll data collection app, which allows for online and offline data collection for CATI and CAPI. In addition, staff were trained on best practices for CATI/CAPI research, ethics, and project implementation in order to ensure all GeoPoll CATI projects are of the highest quality. GeoPoll staff also trained a team who will oversee the call center and CATI/CAPI data collection in West Africa, including monitoring data and ongoing call center operations.

Nigeria CATI Call Center Capabilities

Localization is one of the most important aspects of CATI/CAPI work in Africa, and GeoPoll now has a roster of 50 interviewers who can be used for different projects based on client needs, including a mix of male and female interviewers, those who speak different dialects, and who have work experience in multiple locations. Staff are from 17 of the 36 states across Nigeria and speak a combination of 9 different languages: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Edo, Urobo, Igala, Tarok, and Ijaw.

As part of this launch, GeoPoll also met with local partners and clients so that our operations team could learn more about client needs for CATI work. We began pilot work for three CATI projects currently ongoing in the region and provided in-person oversight on data collection for a week. So far, we have collected data for multiple projects from the Nigeria CATI center, and completed over 8,000 interviews.

Conduct Your Own CATI Survey in Africa

GeoPoll regularly conducts surveys via multiple modes, and we are excited to grow our CATI and CAPI capabilities in West Africa and beyond so that we can better service our clients and partners in the region. To learn more about our capabilities or commission a CATI or CAPI-based survey of your own, please contact us.

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