Quality focus
At TNS Research Surveys we understand that quality research starts with quality fieldwork. For this reason we continuously train and evaluate our field teams. We employ experts to ensure faultless logistics infield. Our checking procedures go beyond industry standards. We pride ourselves on being smarter, faster and more flexible infield than our competitors.
Training
Training starts with our Field Managers who control teams around the country. Our managers participate in train-the-trainer programmes and compulsory briefing sessions. They are thus equipped to impart interviewing skills and project-specific interviewing requirements to their interviewers. Normally an interviewer will not conduct more than 10–15 interviews on a single project in order to avoid bias. Field Managers and interviewers are extensively briefed on all projects in terms of the background to the study. Briefing sessions are further treated as questionnaire training sessions and we welcome clients to attend these sessions
Logistics expertise
TNS Research Surveys specialises in large-scale studies with widespread samples requiring rapid turnaround times. We have, on numerous occasions, conducted major pre-election studies that have called for faultless logistics due to their exceptionally tight timeframes, the precise nature of the sampling and the extreme accuracy required. Our logistics team has years of experience in ensuring that all these requirements are met and we pride ourselves on being unrivalled in this regard.
Checking procedures
Our Field Managers are measured and rewarded on the accuracy and quality of the completed questionnaires they submit to our data production division. This means that they take extra care in the debriefing process and check every questionnaire thoroughly before submitting it to our data capture department. Our managers aim for a 0% error/rate, and we are proud to say that this is achieved consistently. Managers are evaluated on a monthly basis in terms of the quality and consistency of the work they submit. It is possible to do this with great accuracy by means of our clean data capture system which instantly roots our incorrect or inconsistent data. Should inconsistencies be identified at this point, our backcheck department will immediately follow up with the respondent by telephone if possible.
If no telephone number has been supplied, we will conduct face-to-face checks.For rural samples, our field supervisors conduct face-to-face checks on all studies. Our supervisor-to-interviewer ratio for rural quotas is 1:3, which ensures extremely tight controls and the opportunity to rectify any problems immediately should they occur. Field managers also conduct infield spot-checks to evaluate their interviewers' abilities. This is done for both metro and rural quotas.Our backcheck procedures frequently go beyond industry requirements as we check on a minimum of 20% of each Field Manager's quota from our independent backcheck department located at head office in Cape Town. This is in addition to any infield checks that have been conducted.
The impact of data production on the end product
Our data production division provides a seamless service to ensure integration of clean data at the earliest possible stage in the project life cycle.
Technical experts are employed to program the questionnaire electronically and according to specification in order to receive only correct data while rejecting inconsistent entries. Before the data is analysed raw score tables are run and the project is rechecked as a whole to ensure optimal data quality.
Telephonic surveys
Our call centre, located in Johannesburg, specialises in computer-aided telephonic interviewing (CATI) and has an established reputation for quality consumer and business-to-business data collection, with the added advantage of fast turnaround times. TNS Research Surveys' telephone bureau conducts regular xpRS syndicated surveys delivering answers in under three days.
Analytical skills
All analysis and data structuring is carried out in-house at TNS Research Surveys. Everyone involved in leading the shaping and understanding of information has access to the most advanced software solutions to facilitate and speed up analyses.