Upcoming Projects

Conference on Survey Automation

The Committee on National Statistics will convene a conference of survey automation specialists, data users, and statistical agency management staff to consider the effects of automation, specifically, the use of computer-assisted telephone and personal interviewing (CAPI/CATI)Bon major government household surveys. Topics for discussion will include the effects of automation on timeliness and quality of survey estimates and on survey costs and best practices; areas in which software and implementation of computer-assisted interviewing techniques are working well and areas in which improvement is needed; and promising new directions for research and development. Case studies of survey automation successes and problems will be commissioned for the conference. A summary report of the proceedings will be prepared. This conference, which is sponsored by the Census Bureau, is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2000.