Capabilities

Survey Developer Features

As a development system, Blaise is suitable for both the individual and the large survey organization. Blaise's powerful programming language and integrated tools offer numerous features:

  • Modular field and block-oriented code promotes reuse and ease of maintenance.
  • Parallel blocks to support non-linear progression of an interview.
  • Built-in data coding support and external file lookups provide multiple lookup methods, including hierarchical, alphabetical, or trigram, or combinations of methods.
  • Selective checking mechanism checks all appropriate rules throughout the interview, ensuring data integrity.
  • Integration with other programs either through Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) or through Open Blaise Architecture.
  • Developer's environment includes online help and tools for testing.
  • Comprehensive documentation with "How To.." information and practical examples.
  • Support for large databases with many levels of hierarchy.
  • Data export for statistical or database packages.
  • Automatically generated screens with developer-prescribed formats.
  • Metadata approach allows for efficient updating and maintenance of instruments
  • More Survey Developer Features...

Interviewer, Data Editor, and Data Entry Clerk Features

Blaise's Data Entry Program (DEP) is a multimode user interface that supports a variety of survey processing needs and offers the following features:

  • The same Blaise instrument can be used in any mode, e.g. CAPI, CATI, data editing, etc.
  • Page-based presentation facilitates interviewer navigation.
  • Blaise rules allow interview flow specification, ranging from simple linear to complex and non-linear flow.
  • Multiple interviewer navigation methods provide flexibility while interviewing.
  • Behavior mode settings control details of system behavior for each group of users.
  • Language can be changed with a few keystrokes for multilingual instruments.
  • Remarks can be entered at any point in the interview and can be recalled and viewed.
  • Survey-specific user help can be implemented using WinHelp.
  • Users can exit and restart interviews at any point.
  • Non-destructive backup allows interviewers to efficiently backup and move forward while interviewing.

Survey Manager Features

Blaise supports survey management with the following features:

  • Reports track survey progress, missing sample, and other survey management items.
  • The CATI Call Management System supports time zones, time slices, quotas, groups of interviewers, and supports strategies for improving productivity and response rates.
  • CAPI laptop management systems can be developed using the Maniplus module.
  • Large and complex instruments can be developed and maintained economically using the Blaise Programming Language.
  • Proven interviewer interface promotes accurate collection of data, thereby reducing the level of post-interview processing.