title: Evaluation of a computer-assisted data entry procedure (including Teleform) for large-scale mailed surveys.
abstract: Computer-assisted data entry procedures for self-completion population surveys are previously unreported. We used Teleform for a questionnaire to registrants (aged 50+) with general practices in North Staffordshire, UK (n=8995). The survey achieved a 77% response rate. 98% (n=6647) of returned questionnaires were scannable. These questionnaires were checked (and corrected) before scanning for entries that may be inaccurately read by the software. Three percent of 1020 scanned questionnaires checked (0.041% of all questionnaire items) had a data entry error. Systematic processes enable accurate survey data transfer to be achieved with Teleform. However, many administrative and technical issues need addressing.
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Sciences Research Centre, Hornbeam Building, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG Staffordshire, UK. cjinks@cphc.keele.ac.uk
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jinks
authors.forename: Kelvin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Croft
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software / Q000191:economics; D006113:United Kingdom