We have the physical space and computing capacity to conduct over 30,000 interviews per year.  Interviews are conducted days, evenings, and weekends.  A toll-free telephone line is available to respondents regarding interview requests or questions.

 

 

Our expertise lies in health related

telephone surveys using Computer

Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)

software.

We conduct telephone interviews using a

Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing

(CATI) system.  The Ci3 subset of the

WinCATI software (Sawtooth Technologies)

is a questionnaire authoring system

designed for all programming tasks including unlimited sample management and reporting capabilities.  Interviewer dialing, database building, scheduling of callbacks, and assignment of disposition codes are all automatically handled by the CATI system.  The CATI system permits data entry at the time of the interview, provides error and range checking, is programmed for skip patterns, and manages the telephone sample.

 

 

Interviewing Hardware Specifications

We maintain state-of-the-art computer hardware and servers for a center of this magnitude.  The server runs on a local-area network that is independent of the University network to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of the data.  The telephone system is locally owned by MU and operates under a long-distance contract with AT&T.  We enjoy full computer and telecommunications technical support from MU Integrated Technology Services and a Health Management & Informatics computer systems analyst.

 

All CATI workstations have a state-of-the-art processor, monitor, keyboard, and telephone equipped with a quality headset.

 

 

Data Maintenance

All data are archived at least twice each day to a local workstation and an off-site MU server. We also archive data to compact disc for internal storage and easy access upon client request.

 

 

Telephone Interviewers

Interviewers are employees of the Health & Behavioral Risk Research Center.  Interviewers participate in a rigorous training module including orientation and a variety of mock studies.  In addition, our employees complete MU IRB and HIPAA training and sign a confidentiality agreement prior to interacting with potential respondents.  Supplementary training includes mandatory monthly refresher modules, as well as special modules tailored to studies in progress.  Routine, live monitoring of ongoing interviews is conducted frequently by our supervisors.  We have low turnover, with most interviewers employed at HBRRC for an average of 2 years.

Telephone Interviews