IVR Test & Survey: A computer program to collect data via computerized telephonic applications

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated the advantages of using interactive voice response (IVR) technology to collect self-report
data from research participants and recipients of psychological/medical services. IVR allows participants to phone a computer
and respond to recorded questions by pressing the appropriate touch-tone keys on their telephone. Because this technology
offers substantial benefits in terms of cost and efficiency, it is surprising that it has not been more widely utilized by
researchers and practitioners. Along with the automation of the administration and scoring of tests or surveys, IVR provides
for questioning to be adapted to the participants’ responses. One possible explanation for the failure to exploit this technology
is the absence of easy-to-use software that does not require programming knowledge. This article describes IVR Test & Survey,
a program to facilitate the administration, scoring, and analysis of information collected with the use of IVR technology.