The purpose of this paper is to review the state-of-the-art in the use of hand-held computers for collecting research data. This may be done via interviewers or âtiedâ panellists; both approaches will be described and summaries of benefits provided, based on practical experience of cases in several countries. A review of major current applications will be presented, covering live and experimental work in USA, Australia and Europe.
For the average Market Research company the most significant developments for the future follow on from the application of computers to questionnaire design, the subject of this paper. This has quite dramatic implications for improving efficiency, saving time and avoiding needless (and potentially inaccurate) duplication of work.