A comparison between Video Mediated Interview (VMI) and CAPI in Labour Force Survey

This paper describes an experimental study carried out by ISTAT in order to compare the use of the innovative Video Mediated Interview (VMI) technique as an alternative to the traditional approach in relation to the Labour Force Survey. The aim has been to evaluate whether offering a VMI alongside traditional Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) might increase survey participation by reducing some of the disadvantages associated with collecting data through face-to-face interviews, such as the high cost, long delays and difficulties in accessing some households. Data collected by the VMI technique have been compared to those obtained through a CAPI in the same areas during the same weeks. In both cases, the level of survey participation has been analysed together with the presence of any possible "mode effect", i.e. a difference in the responses due to the questionnaire administration mode. The aim of the analysis has been to identify if any difference observed can be explained in terms of the characteristics of the group of respondents (sampling weights have not been applied) or in terms of any measurement error due to the different data collection techniques used. For key sub-populations, identified by relevant auxiliary variables, the propensity to participate obtained for the two techniques has been compared. To conclude, the experiment shows the feasibility and effectiveness of using video interviews to complement face-to-face interviews in labour force surveys.