How the Handful Questionnaire System Works

Collecting Data in the Field

Handful comprises a palmtop computer with a questionnaire implemented in Windows software. The computer (a Hewlett-Packard OmniGo 100) displays the questions and the interviewer selects or writes the answer with a special pen directly on the screen. This system has many similarities with traditional pencil and paper questionnaires, but offers many advantages. In some situations you can dispense with the interviewers entirely, with people recording their answers themselves.

Questionnaire Software

• Interviewers can go back when they want to change answers, and can rub out mistakes.
• Answers are entered by writing on the display, or by tapping the pen on the screen to select an option
• The answers may be:
  • text entry
  • free form
  • select one from list
  • select top three (say) from list
  • select any number from list
• Questionnaire can branch depending on the answer to the previous question
• Questions can use the results of previous queries as list items
• Short prompts can be displayed, for example "Ask for preferred colour"
• Longer instructions can be displayed, for example "The items are in several colours: blue, white, red, green and pink - which item do you prefer?"
• The software can contain specialised logical constructions for design assessments, price assessments, value assessments and so on. For example, "Is a 3 year warranty worth more than metallic paint?"

Why the HP OmniGo Palmtop Computer?

The HP OmniGo palmtop is ideal for filling in forms on the move. Interviewers can use them, say, whilst walking around a hall or during home visits. Benefits include:

• Convenience: flip the keyboard behind the screen for easy data entry with the pen
• Weight: the palmtop weighs just 330 g (11.5 oz)
• Low power consumption: batteries last for 2 to 3 weeks of normal usage, and can even be changed in the middle of a questionnaire without losing any data
• Size: it's a compact 152 x 95 x 25 mm (6 x 3.7 x 1 in)

After Collecting the Information

After each interview, or at the end of the day, the interviewer (or supervisor) transfers the information collected to a database on a personal computer. It is immediately analysed and results can be sent down telephone lines to Head Office. They could also be automatically compiled into a report and sent directly to the client, giving instant access to information.

Preparing the Questionnaire

You design the questionnaire in exactly the way you would normally. You then use Handful to set up the questionnaire in software. Running on a PC, the Handful Software Generator lets you fill in the questions, choose branching options and enter prompts and instructions to the interviewer. It really is that easy - you don't need to program anything. If you wish we can configure the software for you, with specialised logical constructions.

Once you've set up the Questionnaire Software it automatically configures a database to accept the answers, eliminating all data entry mistakes.