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*** an announcement from:
	The Association for Survey Computing.
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             THE IMPACT OF CAI ON LARGE AND COMPLEX SURVEYS
                                    
                    A One-Day Conference organised by
                                    
                  THE ASSOCIATION FOR SURVEY COMPUTING
                                    
                Imperial College, London, January 8, 1999

Compared to even a few years ago, Computer Aided Interviewing (CAI) is
now relatively widespread and mature. A move to CAI can, for example,
lead to improvements in data quality and turnaround times; it can even
make possible surveys that would not otherwise be contemplated. For
these and other reasons, many survey organisations and clients have been
persuaded that CAI is where the future of survey research lies.

Not everyone, however, is entirely convinced; paper and pencil
interviewing still has its role; the promise of CAI will be realised
only under certain conditions.

This conference will explore the impact of CAI on, and its potential for
the undertaking, organisation and costs of Large and Complex Surveys
(LCS), as well as for the quality and accessibility of the output data.
It will also investigate the suitability and robustness of existing CAI
software and systems for the conduct of LCS, and consider the ways in
which the technology should and, perhaps, must develop.

Speakers will include:

*    Joy Dobbs (Head of Social Survey Division, ONS): Keynote Address.
  Large and complex surveys

*    Martin Bulmer (Surrey University): Electronic documentation of
  complex surveys. A pilot study of BLAISE users' experience of
  documentation of the early rounds of the Family Resources Survey

*    Tony Dent (CMR): An overview of the conference in the context of
  CAI since its inception in the 70's with a look to the future

*    Paul Firmin et al (University of Leeds): Interactive computer-based
  interviewing using and artificial world for capturing complex real world
  car parking behaviour

*    Andy Halliday (MVA Ltd): The Greater London Bus Passenger Survey
*    Maureen Kelly (ONS): Rapid results from of the LFS
*    Hugh Neffendorf (Katalysis): A Big Survey can be a HAPI survey
*    Sven Sjodin (SCPR): The Health Survey for England

Costs of the conference will be 75.00 pounds stlg for ASC and affiliated
members, and 100.00 pounds stlg for others (which includes one year's
membership of the ASC).

A booking form and programme can be found on the ASC's web site at:
     
     http://www.assurcom.demon.co.uk

or will be automatically sent on receipt of an empty e-mail message to:
     
     [log in to unmask]

Alternatively, contact Diana Elder, Administrator, ASC ([log in to unmask])
PO Box 60, Chesham, Bucks, UK HP5 3QH tel/fax: +44 (0)1494 793 033, who
can also assist interested exhibitors.

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This message has been sent, on behalf the ASC, by:

Randy Banks ([log in to unmask])               tel: +44 (0)1206 873067
Chair, Association for Survey Computing       fax: +44 (0)1206 873151
Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER)
University of Essex
Colchester, Essex
United Kingdom CO4 3SQ                http://www.assurcom.demon.co.uk
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