Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What is Computer-Aided Web Interviewing (CAWI)?

Research Topics:
Online Research | Online Survey Design/Analysis
Content Type:
Glossary
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Computer-Aided Web Interviewing (CAWI) Definition

Also called online interviewing, web interviewing or internet interviewing.

Computer-aided web interviewing, or CAWI, is a marketing research method of conducting surveys and interviews through online platforms. It relies on web-based surveys and questionnaires to collect data from participants, thus streamlining data collecting. Because it is online, CAWI permits conducting market research on a global level. The process involves designing and hosting surveys on websites or online survey platforms. The method's versatility permits various question formats, multimedia integration and interactive elements, which enhances participant engagement. CAWI's automated features reduce the risk of human error during data entry and provide quicker data cleaning. Security and respondent verifications are concerns, however. 

Who relies on CAWI?

CAWI is effective and popular for studies for researchers, businesses and organizations that require large sample sizes, diverse respondent groups or geographically dispersed participants. Market researchers, consumer behavior analysts and organizations interested in customer preferences and trends often turn to CAWI for cost-effective and scalable data collection.

Why should I care about CAWI?

CAWI has a number of benefits. First off, because it is an online option, it enables access to a broader and more diverse pool of respondents. Also, it is also cost-effective compared to traditional in-person interviews or phone surveys. What’s more, CAWI allows participants to answer at their convenience, leading to higher response rates. Finally, the digital format facilitates quick data analysis and reporting.