JP2011022874A - Data processing apparatus and data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data processing apparatus capable of quantitatively collecting answers to an open-ended question survey with high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: When answer data based on an open-ended question method is inputted, a control section of a computer records the answer data in an answer data database 17. The control section receives the input of conversion words, i.e., synonyms corresponding to the answer data in the answer data database 17, and records the conversion words in a conversion word database 31, together with the answer data. For the answer data in the answer data database 17, the control section replaces the conversion words which the answer data in each record of the conversion word database 31 matches with some of the records of the answer data. In this way, the control section can quantitatively collect the answer data of the open-ended question method. Since the answer data has limitations on the number of characters that can be input, the conversion words match the answer data with high accuracy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a data processing method, and more particularly, to a data processing apparatus and a data processing method for processing so-called free answer type response data.

  In market research, a large amount of response data obtained from respondents through so-called questionnaire surveys is processed, and the processing results are used for analysis and evaluation of respondents' consciousness and reason for action for products and services. Has been done.

  As market research methods, for example, there are a selection method in which a respondent selects a plurality of choices prepared in advance by a questioner for a question, and a free answer method in which a respondent freely answers a question in a language.

  In general, when trying to obtain the reason for purchase or use of the most important respondents in a market survey through a questionnaire survey or the like, the latter qualitative survey using the free answer method is suitable. The selection method is a quantitative survey in which the content of responses is limited to the range of options, and since the words spoken from the respondent's mouth cannot be obtained, a survey result that sufficiently reflects the reason for the respondent's behavior is obtained. It may not be possible. Even if options are created based on answers obtained by conducting an interview survey from a part of respondents in advance, the same problem cannot be solved. On the other hand, in the free answer method, so-called qualitative information that is particularly useful for market research can be obtained by allowing respondents to reply in their own words about the reason for purchase and the reason for use.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a questionnaire analysis device that analyzes a questionnaire response document based on keywords. In this questionnaire analysis apparatus, extracted keywords are extracted from an answer document, and extracted keywords that do not correspond to a preset expected keyword are used as unexpected keywords, thereby improving the efficiency of questionnaire analysis.

JP 2003-141303 A

  By the way, even when surveys are conducted using the free response method as described above, especially when there are a large number of response data, the response data can be collected as a quantitative survey result and analyzed using a statistical method. It may be desirable to However, the answer data is text data expressed in various languages, and it is difficult to quantify it. Therefore, it is difficult to summarize a large number of response data as quantitative survey results.

  With regard to such problems, the questionnaire analysis apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses that assumed keywords that are synonymous or similar to each other included in the words of questionnaire responses are classified as corresponding to the assumed keywords. In this questionnaire analyzer, morphological analysis is performed on phrasal phrases and assumed keywords, and the matching is performed. However, in this questionnaire analysis device, when the answer word is long, the accuracy of matching the word with the assumed keyword is low, and the consistency between the answer to the question and the survey result that quantitatively summarizes it is low. there is a possibility.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data processing apparatus and a data processing method capable of collecting survey responses by a free answer method quantitatively with high accuracy. It is said.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a data processing apparatus for processing answer data with a limited number of characters, which is response data to a question by a free answer method, accepts input of answer data with a limited number of characters. A receiving means, a conversion word receiving means for receiving an input of a conversion word for the answer data input by the data input receiving means, a conversion word received by the conversion word receiving means and the corresponding answer data are recorded in association with each other. Based on the conversion word database, conversion word setting means for setting the conversion word corresponding to the answer data input by the data input receiving means with reference to the conversion word database, and the conversion word set by the conversion word setting means , The totaling means for counting multiple response data and the totaling means Ri and output means for outputting the aggregated total result.

  Preferably, the data processing device is used to conduct a quantitative survey for hierarchically grasping and insight into the usage trend of the respondent's target, and the questions in the free answer method are at least the usage trend for the respondent's target. Respondent based on the first question on the subject, the second question about the characteristics of the object, the answer to the first question, the answer to the first question, and the answer to the second question And the third question about what kind of emotion the person has, the answer data for each of the first question, the second question, and the third question is limited in number of characters, The process is performed for each of the answer data.

  Preferably, the conversion word database stores records of conversion words recorded before the previous processing and the response data associated therewith, and when the input of response data is received by the data receiving means, conversion is performed. The word setting means sets a conversion word corresponding to the answer data input by the data input receiving means with reference to the record recorded before the previous processing in the conversion word database, and the conversion word receiving means After the conversion word received for the answer data for which no conversion word has been set by the setting means is received and the conversion word received by the conversion word receiving means and the corresponding answer data are associated and recorded in the conversion word database The conversion word setting means responds that the conversion word has not been set. To set the conversion word corresponding to the data.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a data processing method executed by a computer for processing answer data for a question by a free answer method and having a limited number of characters is provided. A data input receiving step for receiving input, a conversion word receiving step for receiving an input to the computer of a conversion word for the answer data input in the data input receiving step, a conversion word received in the conversion word receiving step, and a corresponding answer A database recording step for associating data with a computer-accessible conversion word database and a conversion for setting a conversion word corresponding to the answer data input in the data input receiving step with reference to the conversion word database Comprising a chromatography de setting step, based on the converted word set in converted word setting step, the aggregation step of aggregating the plurality of response data, and an output step of outputting the counting result aggregated in aggregates step.

  According to these inventions, the answer data can be aggregated by setting conversion words. Since the answer data is limited in the number of characters, the conversion word can be set with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to provide a data processing apparatus and a data processing method capable of collecting questionnaire survey responses by the free answer method quantitatively with high accuracy.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the computer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline of the reply data process performed using a computer. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of the computer at the time of answer data processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed about a conversion word database. It is a figure which shows the reply data database in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an item extraction process. It is a figure explaining the survey method of the questionnaire survey of this Embodiment. An example of the total result of the questionnaire survey of this Embodiment is shown. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of the computer at the time of the reply data processing in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the reply data database in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the analysis table extracted from the conversion word database.

  Hereinafter, a data processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the data processing device is, for example, a computer (electronic computer). A computer (an example of a data processing device) functions as a data processing device that processes answer data such as a questionnaire survey by executing a program.

  [First Embodiment]

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  [Hardware configuration of computer 1]

  Referring to the figure, a computer 1 includes a control unit 3, an input device 5, a monitor 7, a memory 9, a network unit 11, and a storage medium 13. A program 15 is stored in the storage medium 13. The computer 1 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) to which, for example, a server 30 and a printer 50 are connected. Further, the computer 1 is connected to the Internet (The Internet) 100 via the LAN.

  The control unit 3 is a CPU and controls the operation of each unit of the computer 1. The control unit 3 reads and executes the program 15 as appropriate.

  The input device 5 is a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse, for example. The input device 5 is operated by a user and transmits an operation signal to the control unit 3 in accordance with the operation. The control unit 3 performs processing based on the operation signal. The computer 1 has a voice input device such as a microphone as the input device 5, and the control unit 3 may be configured to recognize the voice input by the voice input device as various commands and text data. Good.

  The monitor 7 displays a display screen that is visible to the user. The display screen is displayed on the monitor 7 (an example of output) based on the control of the control unit 3.

  The memory 9 is a RAM or a ROM. The RAM of the memory 9 is used as a working memory for the control unit 3.

  The network unit 11 connects the computer 1 to a LAN or the Internet 100. Thereby, the computer 1 can communicate with the server 30 and the printer 50 in the LAN. The computer 1 can communicate with PCs (personal computers) 71, 73, 75 connected to the Internet 100 via the Internet 100. The control unit 3 transmits data (an example of output) using various communication protocols to the PCs 71, 73, 75 and other servers (not shown) connected to the Internet 100 via the Internet 100. Can do. For example, the control unit 3 can transmit data to other servers by e-mail.

  The storage medium 13 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage medium 13 stores various data. In the present embodiment, the storage medium 13 stores a program 15 executed by the control unit 3, an answer data database 17 operated by the control unit 3, and the like.

  The server 30 is connected to a LAN to which the computer 1 is connected. The server 30 can be accessed from the computer 1. A conversion word database 31 is stored in a storage medium (not shown) in the server 30.

  The printer 50 is connected to a LAN to which the computer 1 is connected. The printer 50 can be accessed from the computer 1. When the printer 50 receives a print job from the computer 1, the printer 50 prints an image on a sheet based on the print job (an example of output).

  In the present embodiment, the computer 1 can be used for processing questionnaire survey response data. Hereinafter, processing of answer data performed using the computer 1 will be described.

  [Outline of response data processing]

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of answer data processing performed using the computer 1.

  First, the flow of answer data processing will be roughly described below. That is, first, the respondent answers the questionnaire survey (S1). The answered questionnaire survey data is input to the answer data database 17 (S3). The user (questioner of the questionnaire survey, etc.) inputs / changes / corrects the conversion word for the answer data inputted in the answer data database 17 using the computer 1 (S5). The input conversion word is recorded in the conversion word database 31. When the conversion word is input, the response data in the response data database 17 is collated with the conversion word in the conversion word database 31, and the response data in the response data database 17 is converted (S7). Thereby, as will be described later, the expression of the answer data can be aggregated into the expression of the conversion word, and the answer data database 17 can be aggregated. The computer 1 totals the answer data database 17 and outputs the total result (S9). Also, the conversion word database 31 stores the input conversion words and uses them when processing the answer data from the next time on (S11).

  The conversion word database 31 is a database in which answer data and conversion words are associated and recorded as records. The answer data database 17 is a database in which the answer data of the questionnaire is recorded as one line record for each respondent. In the questionnaire survey, when there are answers to a plurality of questions per respondent, the record of the answer data database 17 may include the answer data of each question. The conversion of answer data is a concept including replacing each answer data and adding data such as a conversion word to the answer data.

  [Input response data]

  Here, the input to the questionnaire survey response data database 17 is performed, for example, as follows. As a questionnaire survey method, for example, a case where the computer 1 is a WEB server and a questionnaire survey is performed via the Internet 100 (so-called online survey) is assumed. At this time, answer data for the questionnaire survey is transmitted to the computer 1 from the PCs 71, 73, 75, etc. operated by the respondent via the Internet 100. The control unit 3 receives the transmitted answer data and records it in the answer data database 17. As a result, input of answer data is accepted via the Internet 100 and the answer data is input to the computer 1.

  In the case where the online survey as described above is not performed in the questionnaire survey, for example, the answer data of the respondent may be input by the user using the input device 5 of the computer 1. Good. In addition, the control unit 3 reads an answer sheet on which the answer of the respondent is written as an image using a reading device connected to the computer 1, performs image processing on the read image, and extracts answer data, The extracted answer data may be input to the answer data database 17. Alternatively, the answerer may input answer data using the input device 5 of the computer 1. In either case, the input of answer data is accepted by the computer 1 and the answer data is recorded in the answer data database 17.

  Here, in this Embodiment, the control part 3 functions as a character number restriction | limiting means. That is, in the question of the predetermined free answer format among the questions of the questionnaire survey, the control unit 3 accepts only answer data equal to or less than the predetermined number of characters according to the predetermined character number limit setting, and the number of characters larger than the predetermined number of characters. Refusal to accept response data. In addition, the control unit 3 has a function of normalizing specific notation of alphabets, kana, kanji, and full-width characters and correcting typographical errors in the input answer data. This function is performed based on, for example, a dictionary set in advance and stored in the memory 9 or the like. Note that such normalization and correction may be performed by the user himself / herself checking and correcting the input answer data.

  The answer data database 17 may be stored not in the computer 1 but in another device accessible by the computer 1 such as the server 30. Also in this case, the input of answer data is accepted by the computer 1. The control unit 3 accesses the answer data database 17 and records the answer data whose input has been accepted in the answer data database 17.

  [Operation flow of computer 1]

  The processing of the answer data is executed under the control of the control unit 3 when the user gives an instruction to the computer 1 using the input device 5 for the processing.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of operations of the computer 1 at the time of answer data processing.

  In step S101, the control unit 3 accepts input of answer data. At this time, answer data is input as described above. The controller 3 records the input answer data in the answer data database 17.

  First, the control unit 3 performs processing on the conversion word database 31 (steps S103 to S109).

  In step S <b> 103, the control unit 3 reads the answer data into the converted word database 31. As will be described later, the control unit 3 reads a part of the answer data from the answer data database 17 and inputs it to the conversion word database 31.

  In step S <b> 105, the control unit 3 receives correction or change of the conversion word via the input device 5. When accepting the modification or change of the conversion word, the control unit 3 displays a conversion word table indicating the contents of the conversion word database 31 on the monitor 7. For example, as the conversion word table, the control unit 3 displays the conversion word corresponding to the response data read in step S103 on each line in a state that can be compared with the response data, and displays the conversion word on the monitor 7. The user can change (including new input) or modify the conversion word corresponding to the answer data displayed on the monitor 7. The control unit 3 reflects the received correction word modification or change in the conversion word database 31. Details of correction and change of the conversion word will be described later.

  In step S107, the control unit 3 executes rearrangement of conversion words. In the conversion word table, the control unit 3 rearranges the rows so that the conversion words are arranged in ascending order or descending order. Thereby, when the same conversion word exists in a conversion word table, the line containing the conversion word is displayed continuously and the user can recognize visually easily.

  In step S109, the control unit 3 determines whether the conversion word has been corrected or changed. When the user inputs that the correction or change has been completed, the control unit 3 determines that the conversion word has been corrected or changed. The control unit 3 automatically corrects or changes the conversion word when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when it is detected that all the answer data in the conversion word table has been corrected or changed. It may be determined that has ended. If the conversion word has not been corrected or changed, the control unit 3 repeats the processing from step S105 to step S109.

  When the correction or change of the conversion word is completed in step S109, the control unit 3 next performs processing for the answer data database 17 (steps S111 to S115).

  In step S <b> 111, the control unit 3 accepts the setting of the conversion part related to the answer data from the user via the input device 5. When accepting the setting of the conversion location, the control unit 3 displays the answer data table generated from the answer data database 17 on the monitor 7. For example, the user uses the input device 5 to designate a portion of the displayed answer data table for which answer data conversion is desired. This designation may be made, for example, for each questionnaire survey question. The control unit 3 sets a part corresponding to the part designated as the conversion part in the answer data database 17 as described above as the conversion target part of the answer data.

  In step S113, the control unit 3 adds a conversion word for the conversion target portion of the answer data. The conversion word is added by reading the conversion word from the conversion word database 31 and setting the read conversion word in the answer data database 17. In the present embodiment, the conversion word is set in the answer data database 17 in association with each answer data. At this time, the control unit 3 displays the answer data table on the monitor 7 to indicate that the conversion word has been added to the user. By adding the conversion word, as will be described later, the answer data in the answer data database 17 can be quantitatively processed.

  When the process for the answer data database 17 is finished in step S111 and step S113, the control unit 3 performs an item extraction process in step S115. The item extraction process will be described later.

  In step S117, the control unit 3 performs an aggregation process of answer data. At this time, the control unit 3 can perform aggregation processing by determining that two or more answer data having the same conversion word are the same answer data. The aggregation process can be performed by various statistical methods. The control unit 3 can also perform this tabulation process using the result of the item extraction process.

  In step S119, the control unit 3 performs an output process for outputting the aggregation results. The control unit 3 displays the result of the aggregation process on the monitor 7 (an example of output). Note that the control unit 3 may print the aggregation result on paper (an example of output) using a printer. In addition, the control unit 3 transmits the aggregated result to another computer (an example of output), or converts it into an easy-to-handle data format (for example, a database format, various application data formats, a text data format, etc.). You may memorize | store (an example of an output) in the storage medium 13, the server 30, etc. FIG. When the output process ends, the control unit 3 ends the series of response data processing.

  [Processing for Conversion Word Database 31]

  Hereinafter, an example of processing performed on the conversion word database 31 will be specifically described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed on the conversion word database 31.

  Referring to the figure, steps S201 and S203 correspond to step S103 in FIG. Step S205 corresponds to step S105 in FIG. Step S207 corresponds to step S107 in FIG. The table included in each process in the figure is an example of a conversion word table.

  When the process of the conversion word database 31 is started, the control unit 3 accepts the item setting of the conversion word database 31 in step S201. The user uses the input device 5 to set items in the conversion word database 31. This item setting may be performed, for example, when answer data is processed for the first time. At this time, as the conversion word table, a portion corresponding to a part or all of the set items in the conversion word database 31 is displayed.

  Next, in step S203, the response data is read by the control unit 3. Reading of the answer data is performed for the records in the answer data database 17 that have not been read into the conversion word database 31 yet. Of the data of each record in the answer data database 17, item data corresponding to the item set in the item setting is read into the conversion word database 31. In the example shown in the figure, the answer data database 17 includes “items” that indicate different respondents and “original data” that is answer data for a predetermined question in a questionnaire survey. Therefore, data is read from the answer data database 17 for each of these “item” and “original data” items.

  When the answer data is read, in step S205, the control unit 3 accepts correction or change of the conversion word. Here, the user inputs a synonym of answer data (original data) as a conversion word. For example, as shown in the figure, for each answer data of “delicious”, “delicious”, and “good taste”, the conversion word “delicious” having the same meaning as them is input. For “cheap” and “cheap” (not shown), a conversion word “cheap” is input. For “Purchase nearby” and “Purchase nearby” (not shown), a conversion word “Purchase nearby” is input. The conversion word can be freely set by the user in various expressions.

  In step S207, the control unit 3 rearranges the rows of the conversion word table based on the set conversion word. As a result, the rows of the conversion word table become continuous so that the conversion words having the same conversion word (for example, “delicious”) are collected.

  By performing the rearrangement in this way, the user can confirm the following by referring to the conversion word table. First, the user confirms whether an appropriate conversion word is set for the original data. In addition, the user confirms whether there is any conversion word that can be determined to be synonymous with each other, such as a combination of “delicious” and “like taste”. In addition, the user confirms the extent to which the original data can be aggregated as conversion words. For example, when there is answer data for 100 people, the user confirms from the viewpoint of whether conversion data can be aggregated into a number that can be set as options (for example, about 10 types). As a result of these checks, if the correction or change of the conversion word is insufficient, the user can further set the conversion word. The conversion word setting operation ends when, for example, a confirmation operation is performed by the user.

  [Processing on the answer data database 17]

  Next, an example of processing performed on the answer data database 17 will be specifically described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the answer data database 17 in the first embodiment.

  Assume that a conversion word is set for answer data for “question 10 (Q10)” in the questionnaire. At this time, referring to the figure, at the time of accepting the setting of the conversion part in step S111 of FIG. 3, the item “Q10” of the answer data database 17 is designated as the conversion part.

  When the conversion location is designated, the control unit 3 performs the process of step S113 in FIG. First, the control unit 3 refers to the conversion word database 31 for each response data of the conversion target portion of the response data database 17 (S221). The control unit 3 searches each answer data for whether there is a match in “original data” among the records in the conversion word database 31. Then, when there is a matching record, the control unit 3 replaces (sets) the phrase of the “conversion word” portion of the record with a part of the record of each answer data (S223).

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 3 newly creates a “conversion word” field corresponding to “Q10” at the end of each record in the response data database 17, and converts it into the “conversion word” field. The conversion word in the word database 31 is replaced. For example, for the record of “respondent A” whose “Q10” is “delicious”, “delicious” exists in the conversion word database 31 as the conversion word corresponding to “delicious”. Therefore, the control unit 3 replaces “delicious” in the “conversion word” column of the record of the answer data database 17. The control unit 3 similarly sets conversion words for other records.

  The control unit 3 does not create a column for setting a new conversion word in the answer data database 17, and replaces the phrase of the portion set as the conversion portion (the column “Q10” in the above example) with the conversion word. It may be.

  Item extraction process

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of item extraction processing.

  The table included in each process in the figure is an example of data to be processed in the item extraction process. The item extraction process is performed to extract items that are likely to appear as an answer to a question in a questionnaire survey. For example, the control unit 3 performs an item extraction process on the same data as the conversion word database 31. The control unit 3 retains the data in the conversion word database 31 before the item extraction process is performed.

  In step S301, the control unit 3 accepts designation of the number of overlapping rows. At this time, the user uses the input device 5 or the like to set a numerical value to be designated as the number of duplicate rows. The number of duplicate rows is the number of records having the same conversion word. In the following explanation example, for example, it is assumed that 2 is specified as the number of duplicate rows.

  In step S303, based on the number of duplicate rows specified in step S301, the control unit 3 extracts only records whose number of records having the same conversion word is equal to or greater than the number of duplicate rows among the records to be processed. The other items are excluded from the item extraction targets. For example, in the example shown in the figure, 2 is set as the number of duplicate rows. For this reason, the number of records each having a common conversion word is 2 or more, and the records whose conversion word is “delicious”, “cheap”, or “ease of purchase” are extracted. In addition, since there is only one record in which the conversion word is “good design (respondent F)”, “I like the package (respondent H)”, or “trustworthy (respondent I)”, Eliminated.

  In step S <b> 305, the control unit 3 uniqueizes the “conversion word” in the extracted records. The control unit 3 leaves one of a plurality of records having the same conversion word and excludes other records. Thus, one record is extracted for each conversion word, and it becomes clear how many options exist when the conversion word is considered as an option.

  In step S307, the control unit 3 extracts the total items. The control unit 3 extracts conversion words one by one from each record extracted in steps S303 and S305 and sets them as tabulation items. For example, in the case shown in the figure, three items of “delicious”, “cheap”, and “ease of purchase” are extracted as total items. When the total item is extracted, the control unit 3 ends the item extraction process.

  In addition, the conversion word extracted by this item extraction process can be used at the time of aggregation as described later, and can be used when another questionnaire survey is performed. For example, when a questionnaire survey of a field or content similar to the previous survey is performed by the selection method, the conversion word extracted by the item extraction process for the previous survey can be used as an option. In this case, as options for the questions, those reflecting the respondent's voice can be appropriately arranged, so that more effective investigation can be performed.

  [Aggregation / Output processing]

  By processing the answer data as described above, the conversion word for the portion set as the conversion location in each record of the answer data database 17 is set. Therefore, the control unit 3 can tabulate the conversion words for the portions set as conversion locations, instead of the response data of each respondent. Thereby, it is possible to easily and quantitatively summarize the answer data of the questionnaire survey in the free answer format. In other words, by replacing the answer data in the so-called free answer format with any one of the limited number of conversion words, the answer data in the selection method can be collected quantitatively. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform statistical examination of response data in a free response format. Since the counting result is output as described above, the user can easily grasp the counting result by looking at the output result.

  At this time, the control unit 3 can handle and extract the items extracted by the above-described item extraction process as virtual options. In other words, the control unit 3 can count the questions in the free answer format as questions of the selection method. In the item extraction process, it is possible to specify the degree of appearance of conversion words when extracting conversion words as candidate choices, so response data in a variety of formats compared to questionnaire surveys with selection method questions Can be tabulated.

  [Questionnaire survey method]

  Here, the survey method of the questionnaire survey in this embodiment will be described. This questionnaire survey hierarchically understands the respondents' behavior (consumption (product purchases, use of services, etc.), participation in events, contact with advertisements, etc.) and highlights the deep psychology of respondents In general, it includes three levels of open-ended questions so that you can design and develop your marketing strategy. In other words, the questionnaire survey is based on at least the first question regarding the reason (usage trend) related to the behavior of respondents (products, services, events, advertisements, etc.) and the characteristics of the subject. The second question about whether or not the answer to the answer was given, and the third question about what the respondent has from the answer to the first question and the answer to the second question.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the survey method of the questionnaire survey of the present embodiment.

  To clarify direct reasons (Reason), characteristic reasons (Features), and emotional reasons (Emotions) about the behavior of respondents by the questionnaire survey including the first question to the third question. Can do. The direct reason is a reason related to the behavior of the respondent corresponding to the first question, and is returned as an answer to the reason for purchase / use. The characteristic reason corresponds to the second question and indicates from what characteristic the target of the product or service has come to feel the direct reason. The emotional reason corresponds to the third question and indicates how the respondent feels from these direct reasons and characteristic reasons.

  For example, with reference to the figure, it is assumed that a questionnaire is conducted with a tea purchaser as the respondent. In this case, the answer to the first question “Why did you buy this tea (Q1)” “Scented and delicious” is the direct reason. Another characteristic reason is the “fragrant fragrance” answer to the question “What did you think about this tea? (Q2)” following question Q1. In addition, the answer to the question “How can I feel from these things (Q3)” following questions Q1 and Q2 is “relaxed” as an emotional reason.

  In this questionnaire survey, characteristic reasons and emotional reasons can be clarified starting from direct reasons. Of these, the emotional reason corresponds to a higher-level benefit that the product or service can provide, and the characteristic reason corresponds to a more specific lower-level benefit. The direct reason is between the two. In this way, the value of the product or service is extracted and grasped from the respondent's behavioral factors, with a hierarchical structure of “reason for emotion (higher benefit) – direct reason – characteristic reason (lower benefit)” It becomes possible to do. It is considered that the purchaser of the product etc. recognizes and uses the value structure of these products etc. very instantly without languageizing. By such a survey method, the value structure of the product etc. felt by the purchaser can be verbalized and answered, and can be grasped appropriately. In the above-described example, there are three levels. However, if the value of the product or service is extracted more finely, the number of levels may be increased. For example, for each reason, a value structure can be extracted over six levels by adding a question “why it is important”.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the number of characters is limited for a predetermined question in the free answer format in consideration of processing the answer data of the questionnaire survey quantitatively by the personal computer as described above. For example, the number of characters can be limited within 10 characters. The number of characters may be limited by, for example, a minimum number of characters necessary for succinctly expressing information to be obtained. By providing such a character number restriction, when an answerer answers, the expression form of the answer is slightly limited. Therefore, when the response data is aggregated in correspondence with the conversion words as described above, the conversion words can be set with high accuracy for the respondent's response data. Can be summarized quantitatively. While making it easy to aggregate questionnaire surveys, it is possible to have the respondents answer without any prejudice from the questioner side by the free answer method, and an effective survey can be performed.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a result of a questionnaire survey according to this embodiment.

  Referring to the figure, it is assumed that the purchaser is asked about the reason for purchasing a product (such as a personal computer) through a questionnaire survey. As described above, for example, even when an answer to a three-level question is visited in a free answer format, the same totaling result as that obtained when an option format survey is performed can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to summarize the questionnaire count results in an easy-to-understand manner. Even when a large number of respondents obtain answers in a free answer format, the survey results can be overlooked in a short time, and the tendency of the survey results can be easily grasped. Although the figure shows simple tabulated data, it is possible to easily perform cross tabulation and see trends by gender and age. This is because the answer data can be processed quantitatively by the computer 1. In addition, for example, it is possible to easily examine the relevance between what the respondent is seeking and the reason for purchasing the product etc. by looking at the direct reason or characteristic reason for each emotional reason.

  As described above, according to the survey method in the present embodiment, the answers (reasons for purchase / reasons for use) that have a degree of freedom not found in the conventional quantitative survey and qualitative survey are aggregated and re-set as options. This makes it possible to "aggregate and analyze actual purchaser / user words". In the question asking the reason for purchase or the reason for use, the point is that the option to answer the question is not set from the beginning, but is set later while looking at the answer status of the respondent. Therefore, even when the values of each respondent are diverse, a reliable and effective survey can be performed.

  Normally, when conducting factor analysis and cluster analysis, which are typical multivariate analyses, options are set first as the reason for purchase / use, and the importance is evaluated on a five-point scale (very important-well important-either Not-less important-not important at all). In this case, the analysis includes the “unimportant” part. On the other hand, according to the survey method as in the present embodiment, basically, the answer is raised only as the respondent thinks it is important. In this research method, surrounding reasons such as the reason for the characteristic aspect and the reason for the emotional aspect are tabulated and analyzed starting from the part that is considered important. As a result, even if vague reasons such as “delicious”, “healed”, and “cute” can be raised as a direct reason, the structure indicating the relationship between the reason and the product etc. is grasped. It becomes easy. Evaluate the relationship between consumer behavior and products, even when diversification of values has occurred and effective segmentation cannot be achieved by simple attributes such as consumer gender and age in the marketing field. This is an effective survey method.

  Further, in product planning and product development, product development and the like may be considered by placing importance on an intuitive idea based on a certain design concept. In such a case, by using the survey results obtained by the survey method as described above, it is possible to clarify the characteristics that the consumer wants for the product. Therefore, it is possible to easily extract an idea for solving the problem with respect to “what design philosophy should be used for product planning and product development”.

  In addition, by using this survey method, the structure of the reason for purchase and the reason for use can be grasped in advance, and thereafter, further investigation can be effectively performed based on the structure. For example, if the respondent feels "healed and delicious", the reason can be grasped as a more detailed hierarchical structure by conducting a further survey. More specifically, we identified respondents who answered “delicious” as a direct reason and “healed” as an emotional reason, and conducted individual interview surveys or collected only respondents with similar values. Group interviews can be conducted.

  [Second Embodiment]

  Since the basic configuration of the computer 1 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated here. In the second embodiment, the response data processing flow in the second and subsequent processing of response data is different from that in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of operations of the computer 1 during response data processing in the second embodiment.

  Referring to the figure, in step S401, answer data is input in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S401).

  Thereafter, the control unit 3 first performs processing on the answer data database 17 (S403 to S413). In the second embodiment, for the answer data database 17, conversion word setting and conversion word change / correction are performed.

  Steps S403 and S405 are the same as steps S111 and S113 in FIG. Thereby, first, a conversion word is set about the answer data in which the conversion word database 31 contains a conversion word among the parts set as a conversion location in the answer data database 17. FIG. That is, the conversion word is set at this time for the same response data as the response data that was converted in the previous response data processing. On the other hand, in the answer data that does not include the conversion word in the conversion word database 31, the conversion word is not set.

  In step S407, the control unit 3 accepts a modification change of the conversion word. The user inputs the conversion word via the input device 5 for the answer data for which no conversion word has been set. The control unit 3 inputs the conversion word input by the user into the answer data database 17.

  In step S409, the control unit 3 rearranges the conversion words. At this time, the control unit 3 rearranges each row of the answer data table displayed on the monitor 7 in ascending or descending order for the set conversion word. As a result, if the same conversion word is set in the answer data table, lines including the conversion word are continuously displayed, and the user can easily recognize that.

  In step S411, the control unit 3 determines whether the conversion word has been corrected or changed. The control unit 3 makes this determination in the same manner as in step S109 in FIG. If the conversion word has not been corrected or changed, the control unit 3 repeats the processing from step S407 to step S411. When correction or change of the conversion word is completed, the answer data database 17 can perform processing such as tabulation quantitatively in the same manner as the processing in step S113 in FIG. 3 described above.

  When the correction or change of the conversion word is completed in step S411, the control unit 3 performs an item extraction process in step S413. The item extraction process is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above except that the processing target is data related to the answer data database 17. For example, the control unit 3 performs an item extraction process on the same data as the answer data database 17 and extracts a set conversion word that becomes a total item.

  Next, the control unit 3 performs processing on the converted word database 31. In step S415, the control unit 3 updates the conversion word database 31 with respect to the conversion word corrected / changed in the answer data database 17. The control unit 3 reflects a change or the like about the change word corresponding to a certain answer word for the change word corresponding to the answer word in the conversion word database 31. Thereby, the contents input by the user in step S407 are reflected in the converted word database 31.

  Thereafter, in step S417 and step S419, the control unit 3 performs aggregation processing and output processing in the same manner as in step S117 and step S119 of FIG. When the output process ends, the control unit 3 ends the series of response data processing.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the answer data database 17 in the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, by using the conversion word used before the processing of the previous response data, it is possible to save labor for the processing of the response data of the questionnaire survey performed thereafter.

  Referring to (1) in the figure, when the answer data is input, the control unit 3 uses the conversion word included in the record recorded and stored in the conversion word database 31 for the answer data set as the conversion target. Reference is made to the response data (original data) associated therewith (S501). If the conversion word corresponding to the answer data is in the conversion word database 31, the control unit 3 sets the conversion word in the answer data database 17 (S503). This process corresponds to the process in step S405 in FIG.

  Specifically, for example, it is assumed that each answer data of the item “Q8” is designated as a conversion target in the answer data database 17. At this time, regarding the “good” of the respondent S, the “good” of the respondent A exists as the original data in the converted word database 31. At this time, the control unit 3 sets “delicious”, which is a conversion word corresponding to “delicious” of the respondent A, for the answer word in the answer data database 17. Similarly, conversion words are set from the records stored in the conversion word database 31 for the answer words of the respondents U and W. On the other hand, for the answer data of the respondent T and the respondent V, since there is no record corresponding to the conversion word database 31, the control unit 3 cannot set the conversion word.

  Referring to (2) of the figure, control unit 3 accepts a user input after setting a conversion word from the records stored in conversion word database 31 as described above. This process corresponds to the process in step S407 in FIG.

  At this time, the user inputs a conversion word corresponding to an answer word for which the corresponding conversion word is not set by the control unit 3. The control unit 3 sets the input conversion word in association with the answer word. Thus, for example, in the above example, the answer word for the answer data of the respondent T and the answerer V is set, and the conversion word is set for all the answer data to be converted. At this time, the user may be able to correct the already set conversion word.

  In this way, since the control unit 3 sets the conversion words that can be set using the records stored in the conversion word database 31, the number of answer data that require input of conversion words by the user is reduced. Therefore, when the answer data is repeatedly processed, the user's input opportunity can be reduced, and the operation burden on the user can be greatly reduced.

  The conversion word database 31 has a record created when processing the response data of a plurality of questionnaire surveys conducted so far. In the present embodiment, each record includes various information such as a survey target product and industry based on information in the answer data database 17, a survey code assigned to the questionnaire survey, and a question number. The computer 1 can provide useful information to the user, particularly in the field of marketing, using the records stored in the conversion word database 31. The control unit 3 has a function of extracting predetermined items from the conversion word database 31 and displaying them on the monitor 7 as an analysis table when there is a predetermined operation input by the user. Thereby, the user can easily perform various analyses.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an analysis table extracted from the conversion word database 31.

  Referring to the figure, the analysis table includes items of survey object and industry, survey code, question number, original data, and conversion word. The control unit 3 shows the records in the conversion word database 31 in the analysis table, for example, by industry or in time series.

  Thus, by displaying the information contained in the record of the conversion word database 31 as an analysis table, the needs of consumers and the like can be grasped by industry or in time series. The analysis table can also be used for analyzing the benefit structure of products and services by industry. These effects increase as the conversion word database 31 becomes larger. That is, by accumulating records in the converted word database 31, it is possible to increase the effect of reducing the burden on the user at the time of processing the answer data, and further useful studies can be performed based on this.

  [Effects of the embodiment]

  In the data processing apparatus configured as described above, conversion words are set for the answer data. Thereby, the answer data of the questionnaire in the free answer format can be easily and efficiently aggregated quantitatively by a statistical method. Since the answer data is limited in the number of characters, the conversion word can be set with high accuracy. Therefore, the questionnaire survey response data can be collected to obtain a highly accurate and quantitative survey result.

  [Others]

  In addition, the control part 3 does not need to perform an item extraction process. In this case, the control unit 3 can perform the aggregation process in the same manner as when 1 is specified as the number of duplicate lines in the item extraction process.

  Further, the conversion word database and the answer data database may be stored in a place different from the above. For example, both databases may be stored in a storage medium provided in one computer. Also, the conversion word database and the answer data database may be stored in a storage device of another device that can be accessed by the computer via the Internet or a LAN. Further, for example, by making the conversion word database accessible from a plurality of computers, it is possible to process the response data of the questionnaire survey using the same conversion word database on the plurality of computers. In this case, the response data can be processed efficiently while the correspondence between the response data and the conversion word is taken between different computers, and the response data in the free answer format can be aggregated with high accuracy. In addition, since many records from a plurality of computers are stored in the conversion word database, the effect of the second embodiment can be obtained more greatly.

  In the first embodiment, the conversion word may be input / changed in the answer data database without using the conversion word database. In this case, the control unit may accept the change of the conversion word from the user after the answer is input to the answer data database. In this case, when the conversion word input / change to the answer data database is completed, the control unit 3 may create the conversion word database based on the content.

  Further, the control unit may create a new conversion word database each time the response data processing of the questionnaire survey is performed without accumulating records in the conversion word database.

  Further, the conversion word is not limited to the synonym range, and may be grouped within a synonym range. For example, answer words that are synonymous with each other such as “delicious” and “savory” may be grouped together into a conversion word “delicious”. This can be done intentionally by the user based on the agreement among the survey participants.

  The control unit may have a function of automatically setting the conversion word. For example, the control unit may set the conversion word for the answer word based on a dictionary provided in advance in the computer. In addition, at the time of accepting the input of the conversion word, the control unit automatically refers to such a dictionary and automatically presents a candidate that may become the conversion word to the user so as to assist the user in input. Good. In these cases, the control unit may search and set a conversion word having a synonym relation using various language analysis techniques such as morphological analysis of the answer word.

  Further, the data processing device is not limited to a general-purpose computer. For example, the data processing apparatus may be one in which a plurality of computers connected to each other via a network or the like cooperate to execute the processing of answer data as described above. Further, the data processing device is not limited to one that processes questionnaire survey response data. The data processing device can be used for, for example, postal surveys, Internet surveys, telephone surveys, facsimile surveys, interview surveys, etc. It may be possible to process the reply data in the free reply format described, or reply data obtained from the survey subject by, for example, a brain science measurement method.

  Further, the processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or by using a hardware circuit.

  In addition, a program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment can be provided, and the program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card and provided to the user. You may decide to do it. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet. The processing described in the text in the above flowchart is executed by a control unit (CPU) or the like according to the program.

  In addition, it should be thought that the said embodiment is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 Computer (an example of a data processing device)
3 Control Unit 5 Input Device 7 Monitor 13 Storage Medium 15 Program 17 Response Data Database 30 Server 31 Conversion Word Database

Claims (4)

A data processing apparatus for processing answer data for questions by a free answer method and limited in the number of characters,
Data input accepting means for accepting input of answer data limited in the number of characters;
A conversion word receiving means for receiving an input of a conversion word for the answer data input by the data input receiving means;
A conversion word database that records the conversion word received by the conversion word receiving means and the response data corresponding to the conversion word; and
Referring to the conversion word database, conversion word setting means for setting a conversion word corresponding to the answer data input by the data input receiving means;
Based on the conversion word set by the conversion word setting means, a totaling means for totaling a plurality of answer data;
A data processing apparatus comprising: output means for outputting a totaling result totaled by the totaling means. The data processing device is used to conduct a quantitative survey for hierarchically understanding and insight into usage trends for the respondents' targets,
The questions by the free answer method are at least:
The first question on usage trends for respondents' targets,
A second question as to what characteristics the subject has and the answer to the first question was given;
A third question about what feeling the respondent has from the answer to the first question and the answer to the second question,
The answer data for each of the first question, the second question, and the third question is limited in number of characters,
The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device performs the processing for each of the answer data. In the conversion word database, records of the conversion word recorded before the previous process and the answer data associated with the conversion word are stored,
When the input of answer data is received by the data receiving means, the conversion word setting means refers to a record recorded before the previous process in the conversion word database and is input by the data input receiving means. A conversion word corresponding to the answer data is set, and the conversion word receiving means receives an input of the conversion word for the answer data for which no conversion word is set by the conversion word setting means,
After the converted word received by the converted word receiving means and the corresponding answer data are recorded in the converted word database in association with each other, the converted word setting means returns the answer in which the converted word is not set. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a conversion word corresponding to data is set. A data processing method executed by a computer in order to process answer data for a question by a free answer method and limited in the number of characters,
A data input accepting step for accepting input to the computer of the answer data limited in number of characters;
A conversion word reception step for receiving an input to the computer of a conversion word for the answer data input in the data input reception step;
A database recording step for recording the conversion word received in the conversion word reception step and the corresponding response data in a conversion word database accessible by the computer in association with each other;
A conversion word setting step of setting a conversion word corresponding to the answer data input in the data input reception step with reference to the conversion word database;
Based on the conversion word set in the conversion word setting step, a totaling step of totaling a plurality of answer data;
A data processing method comprising: an output step of outputting a totaling result totaled in the totaling step.

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