Computer-assisted personal interviewing

Computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) is similar to computer-assisted telephone interviewing, except that the interview takes place in person instead of over the telephone.

- The respondent sits in front of a computer terminal and answers a questionnaire on the screen by using the keyboard or a mouse.

- Help screens and courteous error messages are provided.

- The colorful screens and on and off-screen stimuli add to the respondent's interest and involvement in the task.

- This method has been classified as a personal interview technique since an interviewer is usually present to serve as a host and to guide the respondent as needed.

- This approach is used in shopping malls, preceded by the intercept and screening process described earlier.

- It is also used to conduct business-to-business research at trade shows or conventions.

Fore example, CAPI is used as the method of data collection for the British Crime Survey.