Subregional Training on Computer Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) using Survey Solutions

The transition from paper and pencil interviewing (PAPI) to computer assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) has been one of the key hallmarks of national statistical offices’ (NSO) efforts to adopt efficient and cost-effective new technologies and modernize the collection and production of official statistics. CAPI combines the advantages of face-toface interviewing with the efficiency and accuracy of computer technology and brings several efficiencies including: (i) improving data quality, reducing the time lag between data collection and data analysis; (ii) increasing the speed of data turnaround and release; and (iii) enabling significant savings in fieldwork and data processing costs. 

Like other subregions, the Pacific Islands countries and territories have, since 2010, embraced the transition to CAPI using Survey Solutions. While there has been significant investment in the new technology as well as national level support and training from the Pacific Community (SPC) for the conduct of surveys and censuses, high staff turnover and capability gaps in the Pacific subregion necessitate continuous training to further strengthen existing capacity. Furthermore, the report of the 2023 capacity needs assessment conducted by SPC reveals a skills gap of 65% in data collection and places demand for training in collection applications (Survey Solutions) as one of the highest priorities for NSOs. This finding corroborated with the results of the 2023 Training Needs Assessment undertaken by the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP).