CATI Collection

CATI collection

CATI settings and modules are available under the Project menu whenever the "CATI module type" has been selected in the Project Settings. The page is divided into two halves: the upper part for configuring the settings which apply to all CATI modules, and the lower part for adding and configuring the CATI modules themselves.

CATI Settings

The above screen-shot shows the CATI Settings. They are described below:

Setting		Description
Idle Timeout (minutes)	The maximum number of minutes that the screen can remain be idle, after which the interviewer session will be disconnected.
Simultaneous Connections	The number of simultaneous interviewer sessions that will be permitted.
Call Delay	Minimum waiting time between calls. This parameter sets a rest period in seconds before the next case is loaded from the database, and then dialed automatically. If set to 0 (zero) the interviewer/agent must always invoke the New command at the end of each call in order to load the next case from the database. Note: In conjunction with Pronto Predictive, Non-Predictive and Hybrid modules, it controls the time that must elapse at the end of an interview before the interviewer is automatically made available again to receive the next call. This can also be activated by VOXCO to apply to Preview modules.

CATI Modules

The modules menu bar allows you to create new CATI modules, and configure (edit) new or existing ones. The screen-shot below shows that two modules have already been added; to view a module's configuration simply expand it by clicking on it ; to edit it you first click on it to select it, and then click on the Edit icon.

To the right of each collection module are commands for configuring its appearance, trying out the survey, deleting it, and stopping/activating it:

Setting		Description
Appearance	Opens the Appearance Configuration page
Test Questionnaire	Runs the questionnaire which applies to the module. If no questionnaire is specified in the configuration for this module, the one specified in the Project Settings will be used. Note: When testing the survey no data will be written to the project database.
Execute in sample mode	Runs the questionnaire which applies to the module. If no questionnaire is specified in the configuration for this module, the one specified in the Project Settings will be used. Note:The survey will be run "live". A case record will be created or loaded according to the Sample Mode specified in the configuration; collected data will be written to the project database. The case launched can depend on the state of the Field i.e. call-backs, strata/quotas etc. NB: If you are logged on as a user belonging to the Administrator group, you can take the survey even if the group is not assigned to the module. See Users below.
Delete	Deletes the collection module (does not delete the project).
Pause/Stop/Activate	Stops an active collection module or activates a stopped collection module.

Module configuration

The screen-shot below, taken while editing a module, shows all of the options for a CATI collection module:

Setting	Description
Module name	The name for the collection module. Note: The name must be unique to the collection type within the Context i.e. it is not sufficient that it be unique to the project.
WebSpace	A place on a designated web server where the questionnaire will be deployed and the survey conducted. See the Webspaces Overview.
Questionnaire	The questionnaire which will be deployed for conducting the survey. Note: If this questionnaire remains unselected, the questionnaire specified in the Project Settings will be automatically used instead.
Case Retrieval Option	This option allows/disallows an interviewer to access cases via their questionnaire ID or telephone numbers: Blocked. Interviewers cannot individually retrieve cases. Unrestricted. Interviewers can retrieve any case in the file. Restricted. Interviewers can only retrieve ‘Active’ cases that are unused or in a callback state.
Data Entry Mode	Skips and Rotations are inactivated.
Sample mode	Test:	For testing. The survey will run without accessing the project database.
	New Record:	A new record will be added to the project's data file each time a new case is dispatched. This is contrasted with the next option explained below.
	Use Sample:	Cases are picked and dispatched from the project database according to the Field conditions and rules i.e. call-backs, quota conditions etc..
Language	The language in which the agent interface will be presented.
Use CATI screen model and keyboard script	This option selects the special screen layout and keyboard-enabled agent interface suitable for CATI projects; a number of the settings in the Appearance tab will be inactivated, since they will be pre-empted by this option.
Enable Soft Prompting	Soft Prompting is a questionnaire design feature, configurable on a question by question basis, which permits the interviewer to proceed to the next question without selecting one of the choice codes offered. See Soft Prompting in Questionnaire Design.
Automatic New Case Delivery	This option causes the New Call command (in the interviewer's main screen) to be automatically executed as soon as the current interview is completed. See Interviewing Screen.
Associated ACD Module	The ACD module (queue) to which the case is transferred when transferring to an IVRMM module. Note: The ACD module must have been already created in order to appear in the drop-down list.
Users	Users must be assigned to the module in order for them to be able to log on to the module.
Question Definitions	When receiving inbound calls, the interviewer may be required to identify and select the appropriate case (record) that needs to be loaded. This feature is determined by a configuration option set in the ACD module. The search fields, and case data which will be displayed to the interviewer, are determined by the questions chosen here. To assemble the list of search fields in the right-hand list, move questions from (and to) the left-hand list by means of the arrow buttons.