Fieldwork only |
|
|
Although most of our work is conducted on a full service basis, our facilities are also available for clients who have their own research units and researchers that design and analyse surveys, but do not have the data collection facilities required to conduct such surveys. If you are yourselves a research agency, but don’t have your own interviewing facilities, we would be happy to work for you on a sub-contracting basis.
Research New Zealand now offers a fieldwork-only service. It is provided by the same teams that deliver the high quality social and marketing research services that we have become known for.
|
| |
|
|
The facilities and their capacity
 We have developed one of the most sophisticated CATI (computer assisted telephone interviewing) facilities in New Zealand. Our CATI facility has 37 interviewing stations and three stations used by our quality analysts as part of the quality assurance function. It operates in three shifts (daytime, evening and weekend). The shifts are flexible and suit all types of target audiences in New Zealand and other time-zones, such as Australia and the UK. The interviewing capacity, assuming New Zealand only fieldwork, is 3,500 interviews per week, depending on qualifying criteria and questionnaire length. |
| |
|
|
The survey system used
The survey system used is Dimensions, a powerful and flexible, yet simple scripting language. It was developed by SPSS as the replacement for Surveycraft, which we also offer. The survey output interfaces seamlessly with the statistical software also offered by SPSS. Questionnaires designed in Dimensions can be used for both CATI and web-based surveys, which makes it very simple and cost effective to administer in mixed survey methodologies. |
| |
|
|
Quality assurance
Our CATI facility is accredited under the IQS scheme supported by the Association of Market Research Organisations (AMRO). The survey call centre was accredited in 1998 (the second CATI facility in New Zealand to receive this accreditation) and has had its accreditation renewed every year since then.
IQS prescribes quality assurance processes for the interviewing stage itself. However, the Research New Zealand quality assurance process begins well before the survey starts. |
| |
|
|
Questionnaire design
 We offer a full questionnaire design service. It can start with a list of questions or a draft questionnaire from which we construct the final questionnaire for your approval. Our experienced staff will ensure that the questionnaire design meets your requirements in total. The final step in the process is to have it scripted for administration through CATI.
Questionnaire testing
Before being administered in the field, the questionnaire will undergo a testing procedure which ensures that the respondents’ experience in answering the questions will be such that they will be willing to participate in future surveys conducted by Research New Zealand. The testing is conducted by our experienced quality analysts. If changes need to be made to the questionnaire as a result, we will discuss them with you. |
| |
|
|
Pilot surveys
If the survey has not been conducted before, it is often advisable to conduct a pilot survey using a small sample of the intended respondents. The feedback obtained in a pilot survey will ensure that almost all problems that might arise during a survey are anticipated and prevented from happening.
Sample design management
 Many surveys are conducted with samples drawn from the client’s own database of customers or stakeholders. We can assist in designing and drawing the most effective type of sample from such databases, whether they are simple random samples or complex sample designs involving stratification. Our aim is always to ensure the highest sample efficiency and accuracy for the least cost. Our experienced sample management team will check the samples, identify any errors that may exist and ensure that the CATI team receives a sample with accurate contact details. Our sample management team is experienced in drawing or obtaining samples from a variety of sources in cases where the client cannot provide the sample from an internal database. |
| |
|
|
Interviewer training
Research New Zealand employs a full-time trainer who ensures that interviewers receive not only a high level of training when they are first employed, but on-going feedback during each and every survey they work on. We have a rigorous process for screening potential interviewers so that only those with the aptitude and the language skills required are selected for training. Our selection processes ensure that we have interviewers of a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
Recording of interviews and privacy issues
All interviews are recorded, unless it is a client requirement that they not be recorded. The recordings are only available for quality assurance or training purposes, which restricts their use to staff responsible for quality assurance and training. Research New Zealand has developed a strict protocol for the use of recordings so as to protect the privacy of both the respondents and the interviewers. |
| |
|
|
Verification of interviews and interviewer feedback
 The IQS standard prescribes that a minimum of 10% of interviews be verified, i.e. that they were conducted with the person specified in the data file, or, in random sample surveys, the person called for by the sampling procedure and the qualifying criteria. Approximately 5% of interviews are verified by real-time interception of the interviews, the other 5% by listening to the recorded interviews. Interviewer feedback on any quality issue affecting their interviewing content or style are communicated to the interviewers immediately (real time intercepts) or the day after (verification of recordings). The use of recordings for feedback purposes is a particularly effective method for achieving constant improvement in interviewer performance. |
| |
|
|
Maximising the participation and response rate
Regretably, response rates in all countries where population surveys are conducted, have been decreasing as the survey burden on respondents has increased. Research New Zealand has developed and proved a number of techniques that maximise the response rate in surveys and therefore improves the quality of the information obtained. Among these are sending pre-notification letters to named respondents so that they know that they will be contacted. When we contact the household or respondent we make appointments for suitable interview times, although in a high proportion of cases we succeed in obtaining the interview on the first call. Where respondents are not available we call back on different days and at different times before a substitution is made. In some surveys it is possible to improve the response rate by offering the respondent an interviewer of the same ethnic group. However, the interview itself is conducted in English, unless it is part of the design that the survey is conducted in another language, in which case the questionnaire is translated into the language(s) specified. |
| |
|
|
Using incentives to increase the participation rate
 We offer incentives where it is appropriate to use them to encourage respondents to participate in surveys. Whether incentives are appropriate is decided in consultation with the client. Confidentiality and privacy
We observe all requirements of the Code of Practice of the Market Research Society of New Zealand and of the Privacy Act 1993. This, for example, prevents us from returning data files to clients that contain information that can identify individual respondents unless they have given their consent. Prioritisation of fieldwork
Please note that all surveys are conducted in the order in which they are ready for fieldwork. Once fieldwork commences surveys are completed in the order in which they enter the field. The time it takes to complete a survey depends on the qualifying criteria and the time of day respondents can be reached by telephone. Typically a project takes a couple of weeks to complete from the time the questionnaire is agreed to. |
| |
|
|
Data Processing |
|
|
Making data files available
Data files from CATI surveys can be seamlessly extracted from the survey system. Range checks are built into the structured CATI questions. In many surveys a number of questions are semi-structured or unstructured and therefore require some form of coding. Our experienced researchers can construct the necessary coding frameworks to your requirements, carry out the coding of the questionnaires and ensure that the output is checked for syntax and spelling errors.
Data files can be provided to you in a variety of formats from flat files (CSV), Excel or Access files, or if required, SPSS and SAS files. If required, fields can be created in the data file to manage weighting and the classification of sub-populations of interest. SPSS syntax can be provided for the production of frequency distributions and tables output. This output can also be provided as an Excel spreadsheet at an early stage of the data file preparation to allow the client to begin the analysis process as early as possible. |
| |
|
|
Contacting us.
To obtain a quote for your survey project please contact:
Katrina Magill
Research Director
Research New Zealand
P O Box 10-617
Wellington
Ph. 04-462-6432 (DDI)
E-mail: katrina.magill@researchnz.com
Depending on the complexity of the project, we can usually provide a quotation within 24 hours. You will find we offer a high quality and prompt service at very competitive rates. |
| |
|
|
