ABSTRACT
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is a Commonwealth Government entity with statutory responsibilities relating to the collection and analysis of various forms of statistical information. For many types of projects, data has traditionally been collected by interviewers visiting selected households and interviewing respondents using paper questionnaires. More recently, however, the ABS has been involved in the development and trialling of Computer Assisted Interviewing (CAl) for ABS interviewer administered surveys. CAl involves the use of notebook computers to administer the questionnaire during household visits or over the telephone. These personal interviews typically last between 10-20 minutes and can be conducted outside or inside, either seated or standing.
