Nova enables Pocket PC data collection for clinical & behavioral research studies

- Gary Thayer, Editor

Bethesda, MD, April 25, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- Nova Research today announced commercial availability of version 2.4 of its QDS (Questionnaire Development System) Windows based software for clinical and behavioral researchers. Version 2.4 adds a HAPI (Handheld-Assisted Personal Interview) Pocket PC module.

First introduced in 1997, QDS lets researchers administer a questionnaire simultaneously in a variety of modes -- paper, desktop, laptop, tablet PC, and now a Windows Mobile Pocket PC device. QDS promotes re-use of field-tested questions by providing the capability to copy specifications among questionnaires, and data can be exported directly into other software programs, such as SAS, SPSS, and MS Access, for data analysis.

Version 2.4 has the ability to encrypt responses and password-protect questionnaires so that only authorized users can view and export collected data. The new HAPI module includes an edit feature that allows users to automatically launch a second questionnaire if the respondent qualifies to move on to the next stage of a field-administered survey or needs a more in-depth diagnostic assessment.

In version 2.4, users can also automatically generate customized reports in real time at any point in the baseline interview in order to better determine trends, according to Nova. Report elements support new types of substitution tokens that retrieve question text, question probes, and interviewer comments from the current interview.

QDS is a modular system consisting of three major components: Design Studio, Data Collection Modules, and Warehouse Manager. The four data collection modules include: Data Entry for paper questionnaires; CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interview) for face-to-face interviewing; ACASI (Audio Computer-Administered Self-Interview) for more sensitive data collection and for interviewing respondents with reading difficulties; and HAPI (Handheld-Assisted Personal Interview). Nova says it is working on a Web module for Web survey administration from the same Design Studio specification file.

Current QDS users can upgrade existing modules by downloading version 2.4 at US $125 per module. For more information, see NovaResearch.com.

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