ABSTRACT
The term computer assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) describes the use of portable computers by interviewers in face-to-face interviews to record respondents’ answers directly into a computer rather than onto a paper questionnaire. CAPI questionnaires are computer programs which usually run on notebook computers. The question text appears on the screen, with possible response categories or an indication of what sort of answer is required. The interviewer reads out the question, enters the response and the next appropriate question appears automatically. Instructions to interviewers and messages about errors also appear on the screen.
