DATA COLLECTION IN ROMANIAN MARKET RESEARCH: A COMPARISON BETWEEN PRICES OF PAPI, CATI AND CAWI

Market research through surveys uses several data collection methods, usually: face to face interviews (PAPI), telephone interviews (CATI), online interviews (CAWI). This paper presents the data collection methods currently used in the world and in Romania and a comparison between methods depending on the main criteria of choice: sample size, interview length, target incidence and survey price. Statistical analyses based on these variables lead to an evaluation of the methods on each criterion; this reveals situations where certain methods are more suitable than others, depending on which criterion is most important for the research. The analysis is based on actual price simulations in a marketing research company and is relevant for the current status of market research in Romania.