The Cannon Survey Center (CSC) operates a computer-aided telephone interviewing (CATI) facility with 16 stations. CATI technology allows interview questions to be recalled in programmable sequences and displayed for each interviewer on a video display terminal. Interviewers enter answers received by telephone directly into computer memory. An electronic audio and visual monitoring system of the interviewing process is in place.

The CATI system promotes scientific and technical rigor by eliminating a separate data entry step, thereby minimizing data processing errors. Interviewer errors are also reduced because the CATI system controls the order in which questions are asked, skipping those that are not applicable to a particular respondent based on his/her earlier responses. With the CATI system, CSC is able to design and execute surveys targeted at specific populations and issues in a timely manner. The specific software used is developed by Sawtooth (WinCati). 

CSC also maintains a system that creates paper surveys whose information can then be scanned into the computer, eliminating manual data entry. In addition to optical mark recognition, this system also provides hand print (ICR), machine print (OCR), and barcode recognition.   The specific software in place is TeleFORM.

Internet surveys are facilitated with the professional version of SurveyMonkey with SSL encryption.

The CATI system, the scanner system and Internet Software System enable CSC to design and execute surveys in a timely manner, save money, and improve data accuracy.

The staff of CSC is highly trained and dedicated. The consultants, field supervisors, sampling personnel, statistical experts, computer technicians, and interviewers are experienced to ensure that professional excellence is maintained for every client.