Keywords: Challenges of comparative research and International Survey Projects, cross-cultural concerns in data collection and measurement issues

In the past, telephone surveys have not been the most attractive method for general population surveys due to the low penetration of telephone owners for most of the countries. Consequently, the face-to-face methodology was the most popular and the oldest way of data collection for many years. Nowadays, depending on the topic and aim of the survey many techniques are available: from face-to-face, over online to telephone survey. However, the rise of telephone users in the world, especially the dramatic expansion of mobile phone users after 1995, has affected the techniques of data gathering. While face-to-face surveys remain the gold standard in public opinion polling, in more and more countries telephone surveys gain traction for various reasons. Telephone surveys provide faster turnaround time and lower cost compared to a face-to-face survey. In some areas with geographic constraints or within regions of conflict it is difficult to reach parts of the population while at the same time mobile phone networks remain functional.
In order, an effective telephone survey to be completed many parameters should be known before the survey is launched: what is the appropriate share of landline versus mobile phone numbers in the interviewed sample? Are there different response rates among landline and mobile phone numbers? What is the most appropriate demographic stratification of the landline phone sample? Are there any issues with the telephone system one should be aware of beforehand? How should be the mobile phone sample stratified, etc.?
While many researchers have worked on telephone surveys in various countries worldwide, a central knowledge sharing platform that addresses all these issues is currently lacking. These and many other questions, which are prerequisite for high-quality telephone sampling frame, are answered by the Sample Solution’s online application. The application serves as an open-source consultancy platform which provides open access to research for feasibility checks of telephone surveys and together with sampling recommendations. Based on a previous experience as well as research done, the application offers the possibility to advise the client what is the best share of landline vs. mobile phone numbers for a particular country, usage of specific dialing software (manual vs. predictive dialer), network issues and so on. Subsequently, it gives a recommendation for the stratification of the sample based on the demographic characteristics of the country, mobile providers’ market penetration etc. All those parameters help the client to evaluate the choice for a telephone approach to a nationally representative study. Besides the standard info available, an entire report can be generated with all required variables (estimated sample size, replicating, country-specific info and demographics) which enables researchers to quickly evaluate the feasibility or limitations of telephone surveys within a specific country or region.