Tech Topics

Suggested Technology Topics


Data Collection Systems, Software, and Devices
  • Overcoming bottlenecks for “big data” use
  • Innovative Data Capture Technologies: Wearable devices, implanted technology and sensors, drones, speech-to-text, apps, web-scraping, APIs, etc.
  • Migrating and updating data collection modes (e.g., moving from in-person to web-based): tech platforms, best practices, obstacles
  • Multi-mode survey systems: authoring tools, data collection implementations, streamlining solutions, challenges
  • Mobile and web survey administration: optimizing instruments across multiple devices/screen sizes; incorporating multimedia
  • The universe of mobile devices: app-development challenges, portability versus performance
  • Open source software: data collection applications; use, development and challenges of open source software
  • Working examples of platforms and databases used (e.g., REDCap, Lime, Voxco, Qualtrics, Hatteras, other survey software)
  • Showcase of web survey programs, data entry programs, in-person data collection programs
  • Technology to help increase response rates
  • DEI: Best Practices in Tech-Related Survey Accessibility, Section 508, WCAG accessibility compliance
  • Automated questionnaire development
  • International data collection: technological challenges and successes, language support, unique perspectives
  • Biospecimen Collection Systems
  • New to market or updates to existing survey technologies
Data Management, Dashboards, Reporting, and Data Visualization
  • Data visualization and reporting: Tools, Infographics, user-friendly practices, communicating to general audiences
  • Dashboards and integrated software to help field operations better monitor complex studies
  • Tools and techniques for data management or integration of multiple data sources
  • Survey metadata standards and tools, Data Documentation Initiative (DDI)
  • Tagged databases for unstructured data; non-relational; NoSQL
  • Administrative Data and Social Media Data Management
  • Data submission, upload, and pipelines
Tech Infrastructure and Tools
  • New methods for questionnaire and systems testing: integrated testing, automated testing methods, machine-learning, and artificial intelligence
  • Call center infrastructure: maintenance and improvements, on-premises versus cloud, centralized location versus remote callers, IVR
  • Adopting innovations – challenges and advantages related to workforce skills/knowledge, organization size, budget restrictions, etc.
  • Mapping technologies for survey and field: mapping services, GPS, GIS, and drones
  • Multimedia: use in surveys, quality control, e-learning systems
  • Tools for response coding: new technologies and procedures
  • Leveraging software as a service (SaaS) and/or platform as a service (PaaS) in survey operations, using hybrid models that incorporate vendors like Twilio
  • Programming languages, platforms, and systems
Data Security
  • Environments including cloud computing
  • Field technology, securing field data collection
  • Vetting and monitoring vendors
  • Compliance with security standards
Pandemic Practices Beyond 2020
  • Future of survey data collection post pandemic
  • How much will we go back to how we did things before COVID – What changed forever?
  • COVID pandemic – thorough debriefing of what worked and what did not

Optimization of Mobile Devices and Visual Design
  • Practical solutions for optimizing surveys based on high quality visual design across platforms and mobile devices
  • Technology to manage standardization across platforms and devices
  • Instrument interface design
  • Responsive design
Using Paradata
  • Building paradata collection into your projects
  • Technical and ethical considerations
  • Tracking respondent behaviors within web surveys, e.g., answer changes, backing up, straight-lining response
  • Including quality indicators in project production monitoring
  • Dashboards to monitor production data collection process
Technology Issues
  • Communication and interaction with study participants and/or project staff
  • Technology platforms and devices, e.g., social media, email, SMS, web, smartphones, handheld devices
  • Accessibility across modes
  • TCPA/FISMA (including specific phone and software set-ups that are compliant)
  • Advantages and disadvantages of different web and CATI software packages
  • Data security and The Cloud
  • Sample Management Systems
  • Data Architecture
  • Instrument testing procedures
  • Quality Assurance best practices
Embracing New Technologies
  • Nonprobability methods to collect data, e.g., web panels, crowd sourcing
  • New approaches to tracking and locating respondents
  • Web-based focus groups
  • Using social media and other technology to communicate with longitudinal or panel study participants or invite study participation
  • Using texting in data collection (e.g., sending survey links, sending reminders, etc.)
  • Improving data entry programs
  • Remote call centers
  • Using QR codes in mail push to web
  • Collecting CAPI data using online video conferencing
Project Management Software
  • Available options and pros and cons of different approaches

Organizers might plan to host a Tech Showcase – multiple simultaneous “booth style” presentations to share recent survey technology innovations. Please submit an abstract describing your Tech Showcase idea, including information about any tech or AV requirements. Please note that other technology presentations, panels or round tables will not be presented during the Tech Showcase to allow all interested attendees the flexibility to attend.

If you would like to volunteer to present a workshop or “focused technology” session, please contact a Tech Program Team Member, Bianca DiJulio or Sangeetha Immani to discuss your idea. Focused Technology Sessions typically last about one hour and fifteen minutes and provide an in-depth, hands-on type of training for Tech conference attendees.