Pre Field Processes:

Language Translations:Language translation of the questionnaire before launching it on field.

Sampling: Field Controller ensures that the right sampling methodology, as instructed by Research, is implemented in the Fieldwork

Project Knowledge: Field Controller relays all his / her understanding on the project to the researcher concerned through a process note termed as Executive Understanding of Project (EUP)

Briefings: Project briefings are imparted by a Field Controller to data collection team aided by the Research-provided Field Briefing note.

Mock Calls: Post the Field briefings, mock sessions with dummy respondents are held to test each interviewer’s understanding of the questionnaire before the team gets permitted to go on field.

FW Allocation: Field Manager/Supervisor ensures that all inputs required to conduct FW are made available to interviewers before commencement of fieldwork.

Field Briefing & Mock-call:

• All members of field team, irrespective of previous experience in similar work, undergo this most important project-specific training conducted only by Field Controller or Field Manager
• Monthly re-briefing of teams are carried out in projects with continuous fieldwork
• Each interviewer is checked by the supervisor for his / her capability for fieldwork through a mock-call
• Additional mock-call by each interviewer happens once a month in continuous projects – to avoid any deviation in questionnaire administration
• In projects with complicated interview / methodology, pilot fieldwork is carried out to practice before getting on to actual work

Field Processes – During Fieldwork:

Accompaniment:

• All interviewers are accompanied for a min of 2 interviews in the initial few days of commencing the fieldwork
• All interviewers are accompanied for a min of 2 interviews every fortnight by the team leader in projects with continuous fieldwork
• EIC accompanies at least 2 interviews & the others get accompanied by the Team leader.

Interim Feedback:  Based on observations made during accompaniments, scrutiny of initial lot of completed interviews, a de-briefing session is held i.e. feedback is provided to all interviewers within first 2 or maximum 3 days of FW.
FW Progress Monitor: This is a format devised to track all aspects of FW to check for any potential threat to field schedule or quality & take necessary action on time.
Scrutiny: 100% scrutiny of the questionnaires by the TL & 10% of the sample is rechecked by the Field Controller in each project
Back checks: Minimum 20% of each interviewer’s work is checked by the TL; 10% of work checked by TL is again checked by the Field Controller; At least 2% of Questionnaires not checked by TL also checked by the Field Controller

Scrutiny:

• All interviews of each interviewer gets checked by the team leader in the first few days
• Initial few interviews of each interviewer is sent to the Researcher for perusal and timely correction
• All members of the team gets re-briefed on the errors found for standard error-free work
• Only scrutinized questionnaires are taken for further quality checks in the field
• When needed / in complicated projects, special team of scrutinizers are used over and above first line supervisors

Quality Control & Norms:

Minimum 3 layers of supervision
A separate ‘Quality Certification & Audit’ cell to monitor the quality standards

Common Quality Norms:

• Each interviewer undergoes the induction training
• Each interviewer in each project undergoes project-specific briefing and trial/ mock-call sessions
• Each interviewer gets accompanied in the initial few days of project
• A minimum of 20% of each interviewer’s work gets back-checked
• 10% first-line supervisor’s work gets back-checked by Field Management
• 100% of the completed interviewers get scrutinized

Contingencies:

• Project Planning is a must for each project – to preempt any possible fieldwork related issue. 
• Daily status reporting by first-line supervisors track progress and indicate need for making changes / taking corrective measure in time.
• Field team always consists of around 20% additional manpower required for data collection.
• Over 40% of data collection teams are experienced in all types of fieldwork methodologies. Redistribution, when needed, is not a constraint.
• Records of all important documents, instructions, progress reports, etc. will always be with the Field Controller AND his / her Group Head – to avoid delays due to absence of any one individual.
• Intra and inter Region redistribution of resources is practiced in contingencies.
• All members of Field Management are accessible through e-mail and mobile telephone. All first line supervisors are accessible through mobile.