Hardware
Plum Mark fieldworkers are equipped with modern notebook and tablet computers. Everyone is connected to a broadband internet connection. This kind of technical equipment, combined with modern research-software, allows much faster data collection, permanent control of interviewers and the real time insight into the results of field work.
Software
Plum Mark uses modern computer software for data acquisition and processing, which significantly increases efficiency and speed up the research process.
Data collection begins with the formation of the final version of questionnaire. The questionnaire is then transferred into electronic form, specially adapted for computer data entry, which allows monitoring of the data collection, sequence of data into a single database, control of the interviewers, creation of the preliminary report, as well as storage and export of data. Thus prepared questionnaires are forwarded to the interviewers. If required, the questionnaires can be printed and forwarded to the interviewers.
In the telephone survey(CATI), during a phone conversation with the respondent interviewers make a direct entry of data into the appropriate computer program.
In a field research (CAPI), the interviewers carry a notebook computer and make data input, eliminating the need for printing paper questionnaires. If the Internet connection cannot be provided during the interview, the data are sent as soon as the connection is provided.
In Paper-and-Pen interviews (PAPI) at the end of each day, after returning from the field, interviewers enter data from the paper questionnaires into their electronic forms.
In the online-surveys (CAWI)there is no intermediation of the interviewers, and the questionnaires are completed by the respondents themselves, using their own computer, mobile phone or tablet.
A wide range of features that our software provides when designing the questionnaire, surely will satisfy the need for specialized data collection for the most demanding research: