Offline Survey

Offline surveys involve gathering data through face-to-face interviews using tools that operate without the need for an active Internet connection. This approach is commonly referred to as the CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) method, where the interviewer conducts the survey in person, unlike web-based or telephone surveys.

One key feature of offline surveys is their ability to function in areas with limited or no connectivity, such as rural or remote regions. The interviewer typically uses a mobile app on a tablet or smartphone to collect the responses. In some cases, laptops may also be used. The data gathered during these interviews is stored on the device and uploaded once a connection becomes available, usually after the interviewer has completed their fieldwork for the day.

By utilizing offline survey apps, researchers can efficiently collect and store data in locations with unreliable or non-existent internet access, ensuring more comprehensive data collection in diverse environments.

Offline Android App LemurSurvey

Offline surveys can be easily conducted using the FlowSurvey Android app (available on Google Play), which operates fully offline. This app allows researchers and interviewers to continue gathering data without worrying about internet connectivity.

How to Choose Software for Face-to-Face Interviews

Finding the best survey software for conducting face-to-face interviews is a critical decision. When selecting CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing) software, there are a few essential features to keep in mind.

Offline Survey Apps

Not all survey platforms offer solutions for conducting face-to-face interviews, and even fewer have offline functionality. Ensure that the software you choose supports offline surveys and provides a dedicated app for fieldwork.

Adaptability Across Mobile Devices

The survey app should be designed to seamlessly adjust surveys for both tablets and smartphones. Since many users may not have access to tablets, it's important that the same survey is easily navigable on mobile phones. This is especially critical for surveys with table or matrix-style questions.

Simple Setup and User-Friendly Interface

With interviewers often working in various locations, assisting them can become a logistical challenge. Therefore, the app should be easy to install, and the process of downloading questionnaires, collecting data, and synchronizing the information should be straightforward, even for those without extensive training.

Survey Postponement and Resumption

The app should provide the flexibility to pause a survey and continue it later. This is especially useful for lengthy interviews or when participants need more time to complete the survey, ensuring that no progress is lost.

Interview Recovery after App Interruption

In case the app is interrupted—whether due to a device running out of battery or the app being accidentally closed—it is essential that the survey can be easily restored. The ability to resume the interview from the last saved point ensures a smooth experience without requiring the user to start from the beginning.

Support for Mixed-Mode Surveys

Many face-to-face interviews are conducted alongside other survey methodologies, such as CATI (telephone interviews) or CAWI (online surveys). For example, interviewers might set appointments via phone before conducting in-person interviews, or they might recruit participants in the field and send them a link to complete the survey online later. Having software that accommodates these mixed methodologies can greatly enhance your research strategy.

Geolocation and Background Audio Recording

The app should support GPS tracking and background audio recording to verify the authenticity of interviews. These features are crucial for ensuring data integrity and allowing supervisors to monitor the interview process.

Cost and Pricing Model

Some survey platforms charge per face-to-face interviewer in addition to the base cost of the software, which may not be scalable if the number of interviewers fluctuates from project to project. Others charge for the respondent-facing app, complicating the process. Alternatively, platforms like FlowSurvey offer a pricing model based on completed interviews, with free access to the offline app. This ensures a scalable solution without fixed costs, making it ideal for projects with varying levels of demand.

Quality Control with Background Audio Recording

To ensure the highest quality of data collection, FlowSurvey offers an essential feature: background audio recording during the interview process. This feature is critical for monitoring the quality of responses and the conduct of the interviewer.

For every survey conducted using the FlowSurvey mobile app, background audio recording is automatically enabled and is a mandatory requirement before the survey can begin. This ensures that interviewers adhere to quality standards during each step of the data collection process.

How It Works:

• Audio is recorded separately for each question, so survey managers can verify responses on a granular level.
• When the survey data is uploaded to the server, the corresponding audio files are also sent, enabling easy access to both the responses and the audio logs.
• Upon receiving the survey data on the server, managers can listen to the audio for each question to ensure compliance and accuracy.

This approach to interview quality control ensures that responses are reliable, authentic, and captured in a professional manner, making FlowSurvey an excellent choice for surveys where data accuracy and integrity are paramount.

This combination of offline capability and quality control ensures that FlowSurvey provides a powerful, reliable, and flexible solution for conducting field surveys, even in the most challenging environments.