Tablet computer

Description

The ESS Electronic questionnaire device is required to enable completion of a questionnaire on a dedicated device. Bidders should outline in their proposal how to create or tailor an existing device (e.g. tablet) which is capable of allowing respondents to self-administer the ESS questionnaire so it can be used in parallel with web surveys. The battery powered device would be used to collect questionnaire data off-line and would be simple to use. No log in would be required, it would have a touch screen functionality (and possible voice recording for open items) and there would be no other accessible apps or settings besides the survey app when in interviewing mode. The device would be designed so it could be left by interviewers at respondent’s homes with instructions on who should complete it. A special function would allow data to be uploaded to a central server by an interviewer once they got the device to their home. With a cleaning protocol the devices could be used for multiple respondents (this might require a waterproof device or the use of a durable see-through case that could be replaced each time — bidders should outline their proposed approach). The device would have no use beyond survey completion. The questionnaire would be designed to be as similar as possible to a web questionnaire (ESS centrally uses Qualtrics) to maximise equivalence across the self-completion modes. Bidders would be asked to develop a tool where data could be uploaded to different national fieldwork agencies directly from the device (ideally without transmitting it via third party servers). Bidders are asked to be creative on how such a device can be set up. In many ESS countries there is no sample frame of individuals available to direct a postal request to participate in a survey to. In some ESS countries access to the internet is restricted to under two thirds of adults making web surveys unlikely to ensure adequate coverage of the target population. If face-to-face interviewing in home becomes impossible, very difficult or significantly less productive, then self-completion becomes the default mode. One cannot use web surveys everywhere and paper self-completion questionnaires are problematic (especially for a long survey like ESS). Therefore, an innovative product is proposed — the ESS Electronic questionnaire device. Bidders should outline in their proposal how to create or tailor an existing device (e.g. tablet) which is capable of allowing respondents to self-administer the ESS questionnaire so it can be used in parallel with web surveys. The battery powered device would be used to collect questionnaire data off-line and would be simple to use. No log in would be required, it would have a touch screen functionality (and possible voice recording for open items) and there would be no other accessible apps or settings besides the survey app when in interviewing mode. This would mean even the most technologically unskilled would find it easy to use, it would not allow the respondent to go back to previous answers to preserve confidentiality and would auto sleep to save power when not in use). The device would be designed so it could be left by interviewers at respondent’s homes with instructions on who should complete it (following door step interaction to introduce the survey and conduct the selection of the individual respondent). Interviewers would call back to collect the devices (or perhaps they could be returned by mail). A special function would allow data to be uploaded to a central server by an interviewer once they got the device to their home. With a cleaning protocol the devices could be used for multiple respondents (this might require a waterproof device or the use of a durable see-through case that could be replaced each time — bidders should outline their proposed approach). The device would have no use beyond survey completion and the ESS would use conditional incentives to ensure high return rates. The questionnaire would be designed to be as similar as possible to a web questionnaire (ESS centrally uses Qualtrics) to maximise equivalence across the self-completion modes. Bidders would be asked to develop a tool where data could be uploaded to different national fieldwork agencies directly from the device (ideally without transmitting it via third party servers). Bidders are asked to be creative on how such a device can be set up. Most likely existing hardware might be used such as adapting tablets for this purpose but other proposals are welcome (very small devices should be avoided to ensure older respondents are comfortable using it). The organisation appointed would firstly conduct a scoping exercise to guide an outline for the best approach to developing an ESS electronic questionnaire device. Once agreed with the ESS ERIC HQ the organisation will develop the tool so that the ESS Round 10 questionnaire can be administered (in four languages) amongst the general public (translations will be provided by the ESS team). The appointed organisation would then test the use of the device with 40 respondents in each country (using a quota approach to ensure a ensure a range of age, gender and educational levels). That testing would combine in-lab and in-home testing and might involve methods such as cognitive interviewing, respondent and interviewer debriefs, eye tracking and behaviour coding. Following the testing recommendations for the usability of the device would be made. Possible improvements would be specified and the costs estimated for implementing them specified.