CAPI: Computer-Assisted Personal Interview

CAPI stands for Computer-Assisted Personal Interview.

CASI stands for Computer-Assisted Self Interview.

Similar to ACASI (which is Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview), the CAPI system allows researchers to ask questions and immediately data enter the responses.

Click here for an ACASI interactive demo in a zip file.

View ACASI brochure.

Complex skip patterns are built-in making it easy for interviewers to administer short or long questionnaires.

The CASI system allows for a self-interview which is especially well suited for collecting sensitive data on topics such as alcohol and illegal drug use or risky sexual behavior.

Tufts is currently using systems in languages such as English, Spanish and Vietnamese. To the right is a sample screenshot of a Vietnamese question from one of our studies.

CAPI Advantages:

• Allows participants to privately answer sensitive personal questions on a computer (participants with literacy issues would benefit from the addition of the audio component included with ACASI - Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview)
• Eliminates data entry time and errors
• Provides consistent questionnaire delivery — all questions will always be asked in the exact same way

CASI (and Audio CASI or ACASI) Advantages:

• Allows participants to privately answer sensitive personal questions on a computer with headphones
• Eliminates data entry time and errors
• Provides consistent questionnaire delivery — all questions will always be asked in the exact same way
• Works well for patients with literacy issues
  

CAPI & CASI Features — Flexible and Convenient:

• Works with either a mouse or a touch screen
• Can be built with sections that are administered by the interviewer
• Handles skip patterns automatically
• Can be offered in multiple languages
• Works for single or multi-site studies

CAPI & CASI Possible Question Types:

• Yes/No
• Multiple Choice – Select One Answer
• Multiple Choice – Select All That Apply
• Scale
• Numeric Entry
• Text Entry
• Interviewer-Administered
• Multiple Language

ACASI/CAPI systems built by Tufts are currently in use at:

• Tufts University School of Medicine
• Brown University School of Medicine
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health
• University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
• National Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (NIITD), Hanoi, Vietnam

For more information on the CAPI, CASI or ACASI systems, contact Dr. Alice M. Tang (617.636.2140).