NIPO Data Entry assists the Data Typist with entering answers from Pen and Paper (PAPI) interviews such that they can be analysed at a later stage in the same way as data from any other NIPO Software automated interviewing system (CATI/CAPI/CAWI). Currently the data entry functionality is part of the NIPO Fieldwork System for CATI Interviewing, meaning that CATI interviewer licenses can be used simultaneously as data entry workstations, at no extra charge.

Data entered through NIPO Data Entry is stored in an identical format to data from other NIPO Software interviewing methods. This makes it possible to incorporate data from PAPI interviews with those of, for instance, CATI (telephonic) interviews in situations where not all respondents could be reached by phone and where PAPI interviews were carried out.

NIPO Data Entry is especially developed to be fast and easy to use with very straightforward requirements from the Data Typist. Most of the process of entering data can be done using only the key pad on the keyboard, ensuring a high number of key-strokes per minute. Audible alerts are used to indicate problems, such as the input of a disallowed number.

This facilitates the Data Typist’s work in allowing her or him to spend most of the time looking at the paper questionnaires rather than at the computer screen. The current question and question ID are displayed together with the previous questions (and IDs), such that the Data Typist can visually check the history of answers where needed. Routing of the questionnaire can be switched on and off at any point when needed.

NIPO Data Entry offers a double punch functionality. Using the double (or triple) punch technique, the chance of storing errors in the data is greatly reduced. The double punch procedure involves two different Data Typists inputting the same questionnaire data. The second Data Typist will receive a notification if his/her input does not match that of the first Data Typist. This will improve data quality dramatically. On the basis of 5,000 key strokes an hour, and one error in a 1,000 keystrokes, a Data Typist will make about 5 errors per hour, on average. Using the double punch technique this will be reduced to 1 error in 1,000,000, or 0.005 errors per hour.