FR2719401A1 - Computer controlled system for administration of questionnaires - Google Patents

Abstract

The questionnaire administration system has a controlling computer (10) with a tactile display screen (16) and stylus (19) entry facilities. Data can also be received via a microphone (28). A loudspeaker (26) allows the computer to put questions audibly. The questions are stored in a memory (20) and extracted by the central computer to be delivered to the loudspeaker.The vocal responses taken via the microphone are stored in another memory (24). The order of the questions is determined by the program controlling the computer. Each question has associated with it a preferred medium for the posing of the question and for gathering the response. The responses are sent (30) to a central remote computer for processing of data. The data can be encrypted for transmission.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF

QUESTIONNAIRES.

  The present invention relates generally to a device and a method intended to be used for the administration of questionnaires in particular in the context

  investigations, complaints, polls.

  Conventionally, the administration of a questionnaire is carried out using a paper medium, the pollster asking the questions indicated and noting the answers of the individual questioned. We have recently developed devices to help

administration of questionnaires.

  A first of these devices is more particularly intended for inquiries or complaints carried out by telephone or in the field. The interviewer has a control system through which the questions are dictated progressively, in a defined order or in a sequence defined by the pollster according to the answers. Similarly, the answers to the questions are introduced using an input device such as a keyboard, a stylus, a mouse, etc. In some cases, these devices are equipped with means for recording on a medium. appropriate the audio signals formed by the responses of the individual

  surveyed, for future use.

  The fact remains that, whatever the solution chosen, the quality of the administration of the questionnaire

  depends largely on the competence of the investigator.

  Recent studies have shown that between a low-skill investigator and a good-skill investigator, the average impact score of the ads tested by the investigator

  could vary in a ratio greater than 1: 1.5.

  The present invention aims to overcome this defect in the prior art, and also to minimize the risk of errors during the administration of questionnaires, so as to obtain impact scores independent of the competence of the investigator. The present invention also aims to facilitate the transfer of information collected during investigations to processing centers. Thus the present invention relates to a device for administering questionnaires, in particular for the purposes of inquiries or complaints, characterized in that it comprises in combination: a control device, a microphone, a loudspeaker, means for the storage and sound reproduction via the loudspeaker of the questions of a questionnaire, means for collecting via the microphone and storing answers given to the questions by an individual questioned, and sequencing means for selectively restoring the questions in an order determined based on

  information entered in the device.

  Certain preferred, but not limiting, aspects of the device according to the invention are as follows: the device further comprises a central unit, a mass memory, a display screen, an input device constituting the control device, and means for displaying predetermined graphic images on the screen in association with the

audio reproduction of the questions.

  - for multiple choice questions, at least certain associated images include a plurality of zones, the display screen is of the tactile type, to constitute at the same time an input device, and the answers to these questions are introduced into the device

  by requesting appropriate areas on the screen.

  - to each question stored in the device is associated an indicator representative of the type of expected response, namely an oral response collected via the microphone or a response entered on the input device, and in that the central unit is designed to activate selectively, according to said indicator, the means of collection and storage or the capture device. - Said information entered into the device and used by the sequencing means includes data entered using the input device and the audio information collected, the device comprising

  furthermore means of voice recognition.

  - The device also comprises means for creating response files and means for transmitting these

  remote files to a processing center.

  the means for storing and reproducing sound via the loudspeaker and the means for collecting via the microphone and storing given responses include said mass memory, a digital / analog converter and an analog / digital converter,

  - the means of encryption of the responses given.

  According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method of administering questionnaires, implemented in a device comprising means for storing sound information, a control device, a microphone, and a loudspeaker, characterized in that that it comprises the following stages: (a) the sound reproduction via the loudspeaker of a question previously stored in the sound information storage means, under the control of the control device; (b) recording a response in said sound information storage means under the control of the control means; (c) determining via the controller an index of the next question; (d) repeating steps (a) - (c) until the end of the questionnaire; and (e) creating in the means for storing sound information a file of responses for each

individual questioned.

  The restitution step may also include a

  display of an image on a screen.

  Step (b) is advantageously preceded by a step of determining the type of response expected, namely a

  oral response or response via the control device.

  Other aspects, purposes and advantages of this

  invention will appear better on reading the description

  following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device for administering questionnaires according to the present invention, and Figure 2 shows a logic diagram of

  essential functions of the device of FIG. 1.

  Referring first to FIG. 1, a device of the portable microcomputer type has been represented, which comprises a microprocessor 10, a memory 12, input / output circuits 14, a keyboard 16, a screen 18, a mass memory 20 such as a hard disk or a digital optical disk, digital / analog (D / A) 22 and analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuits 24, and a speaker 26 and a microphone 28 with

associated amplification circuits.

  Optionally, the screen 18 can be a touch-type liquid crystal screen, so that it can

  enter using a stylus 19.

  In the mass memory 20 are stored in digital form a plurality of questions belonging to a questionnaire. These questions can be audibly reproduced via the D / A converter 22 and the speaker 26, under the control of the microprocessor as will be seen in

detail later.

  In the opposite direction, the mass memory 20 is able to store, via the microphone 28 and the A / D converter 24,

  answers given by the individual surveyed.

  The device described above is governed by a

  program that controls the microprocessor.

  It should be noted beforehand that each question in the questionnaire is associated with an indicator representative of the type of response expected. The types of responses can in particular be an oral response, in which case the device will be able to record in the mass memory, after conversion, the response of the individual surveyed, as picked up by the microphone. It may alternatively be a response not recorded, but entered by the investigator. For example, for a question calling for a YES / NO answer, the interviewer enters the letter "Off or the letter mNM on the keyboard. For a multiple choice question, alphanumeric codes can also be used. type of response can be entered by the interviewer using the stylus, to tick boxes on the screen

response displayed.

  It should also be noted that, during the entire execution of the questionnaire, the screen can be used for assistance to the interviewer, both to facilitate the entry of the answers when they are not recorded and so that the interviewer can check the progress of the questionnaire. In this regard, any question returned by the

  speaker can be simultaneously displayed on the screen.

  Each question in the questionnaire can also be associated with a representative indicator that a graphic image is associated with the question. For example, it could be a question such as "What does this photograph mean to you?", The photograph in question being simultaneously displayed on the screen. This indicator is representative of an address of the image in question in the mass memory, and the program is designed to clock the sound reproduction of the question and

  the appearance of the image on the screen.

  A typical flow diagram of the operation of the device

is illustrated in figure 2.

  In step 102, the program is initialized, and the

  question counter is placed on the value 1 (N = 1).

  In step 104, a first question of the questionnaire is reproduced by the loudspeaker, with an associated display on the screen (written reproduction of the question, check boxes, help messages, image to be shown to the individual questioned, etc ...). Depending on the value of the first indicator associated with the question (reading step 106 and test step 108), the program then switches the device to an input mode, namely either a sound recording (activation of the microphone and the converter A / N, for writing to the mass memory) (step 110), either an input by the keyboard or an input by the stylus (step 112). When the interviewer considers that the answer to the question has been completed, he indicates it to the device for example by entering a validation key on the keyboard (step 114). Then a test is performed (step 116) to determine if the questionnaire is finished or not. If not, the program then proceeds to a step of managing the questionnaire 118, to determine what is the next question to ask. In the case of a linear questionnaire, it is simply an increment of one unit of

the index N mentioned above.

  On the contrary, if it is the answer to the previous question which determines which is the next question to ask, then the program performs a test of the given answer, if this answer is directly interpretable. A response given by the keyboard or by the stylus is inherently interpretable, since it corresponds to a

  digital information well determined in the device.

  An oral response recorded in mass memory is not normally interpretable. In this case, the module

  questionnaire management can, via the screen or the built-in

  speaker, ask the interviewer so that the latter, by typing on the keyboard or using the stylus, gives only any information necessary for determining the next question. As a variant, the device can be equipped with a voice recognition module allowing, for simple "yes / no" type answers, or more generally for multiple choice questions, to identify the answer given. This voice recognition device can then provide the questionnaire management module with the required information. Once the index N of the next question has been determined, the program goes to step 104 to play back the next question via the loudspeaker, and proceed again.

as above.

  When all the questions have been asked and answered, the test step 116 connects the program to an input step 120, allowing the investigator to enter information relating to the device.

  the individual surveyed (identity, age group, socio-economic category

  professional, etc ...). In this case also, the program can be designed to assist the data entry by the investigator. The administration of the questionnaire is then

complete (step 122).

  Advantageously, the microcomputer also comprises means for transferring to a processing center the data accumulated during various questionnaires and organized in the mass memory in one or more files. These means may include a modem 30 (FIG. 1), for its connection to a telephone network. Alternatively, in order to reduce the cost price of the device, an acoustic coupling can be provided with a telephone handset

  using the microphone and the speaker.

  Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, but those skilled in the art will be able to make any variant or

  modification according to his spirit.

  In particular, to preserve the confidentiality of the answers given by the individuals questioned, these answers can be encrypted on the medium using any

appropriate encryption technique.

Claims (11)

  1. Device for administering questionnaires, in particular for the purpose of inquiries or complaints, characterized in that it comprises in combination: a control device (10, 16, 19), a microphone (28), a loudspeaker -speaker (26), means (20, 22) for the storage and the sound reproduction via the loudspeaker of the questions of a questionnaire, means (24, 20) for collecting via the microphone and storing answers given to questions by a questioned individual, and sequencing means (10) for selectively reproducing the questions in a determined order in   according to the information entered in the device.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a central unit (10), a mass memory (20), a display screen (18), an input device constituting the control device, and means (10, 18) for displaying predetermined graphic images on the screen in association with the audio reproduction of the questions.   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that, for multiple choice questions, at least certain associated images include a plurality of zones, in that the display screen (18) is of tactile type, to constitute in at the same time an input device, and in that the answers to these questions are introduced into the device by soliciting the zones appropriate on the screen.   4. Device according to one of claims 2 to 3,   characterized in that each question stored in the device is associated with a representative indicator of the type of expected response, namely an oral response collected via the microphone or a response entered on the input device, and in that the central unit (10) is designed to selectively activate, according to said indicator, the collection and storage means (24, 20) or the gripping device (16; 19).   5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4,   characterized in that said information entered into the device and used by the sequencing means includes data entered using the input device and the audio information collected, the device further comprising voice recognition means.   6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5,   characterized in that it further comprises means for creating response files and means for transmitting these files remotely to a processing center.   7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6,   characterized in that the means (20, 22) for storage and sound reproduction via the loudspeaker and the means (24, 20) for collecting via the microphone and storing given responses comprise said mass memory (20),   a digital / analog converter (22) and a converter analog / digital (24).   8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that it further comprises means for encryption of responses given.   ill 9. Method for administering questionnaires, implemented in a device comprising means for storing sound information, a control device, a microphone, and a loudspeaker, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) the sound reproduction (104) via the loudspeaker of a question previously stored in the sound information storage means, under the control of the control device; (b) recording a response (110, 112) in said sound information storage means under the control of the control means; (c) determining (118) via the controller an index of the next question; (d) repeating steps (a) - (c) until the end of the questionnaire; and (e) creating in the means for storing sound information a file of responses for each individual questioned.   10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises, in the restitution step,   the step of displaying an image on a screen.   11. Method according to one of claims 9 and 10,   characterized in that step (b) is preceded by a step (106, 108) of determining the type of expected response, namely an oral response or a response via the communication device ordered.