Abstract:

Recent advances in data collection and interpretation, especially electronic metering devices, have interacted with the work of the interviewer. Long-running panel operations have made it possible to assess the value of differential changes to the fieldwork. Fieldworkers need to be specialised to cope with these new activities, especially panel recruitment. Examples are drawn from consumer durable research, packaged goods, toiletry and cosmetics, television audience measurement, household electricity usage, industrial electricity usage, and research into electricity pricing. These are all standing panels. While less specific conclusions can be drawn for ad-hoc surveys owing to their diversity of approach, interviewer streaming still takes place. A brief account is given of event recorders for television viewing or electricity usage, which employ heat sensitive paper or magnetic-oxide coated tape as the recording media.