Data collection

We offer all modes of data collection; by telephone, in person (door-to-door), onsite in malls, by mail, and through the Internet.

The strictest standards of quality control are crucial to all interviewing projects and are attained at TNS Canada through the combination of experienced personnel, consistent and continuous verification procedures, and scrutinized interviewer performance. Likewise, state-of-the-art automated quality mechanisms are utilized for surveys on the Internet.

Telephone

TNS Canada pioneered computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) in Canada. Our ability to conduct large-scale, complex surveys on FACTS (Fully Automated Computer Telephone Surveys) is accomplished through integrating state-of-the-art technology with experienced supervisors and interviewers in Central Location Telephone (CLT) facilities across Canada. Our CATI system has been in operation since 1986.

Our CATI locations are in London, Montreal, and Bathurst. These specialized interviewing offices support over 170 interviewing stations, with a supervising monitor station for every eight interviewers.

Within these facilities, interviewing is generally conducted by the company's Fully Automated Computer Telephone Surveys (FACTS) network. The FACTS network is based on the most modern market research technology and allows both better data collection and faster turnaround. If necessary, traditional paper and pencil methods can also be used.

Personal interviewing door-to-door

A unique in-house field force of 200+ interviewers is maintained across Canada. These interviewers are directed by local Field Supervisors located across the country. Our Field Supervisors are retained to work exclusively for TNS Canada and most of them have been with the company for five years or more.

New interviewers undergo a thorough training program that includes one-on-one on-site training with supervisors and senior interviewers. Only those who meet the company's high standards become members of our team. Immediately upon completion of fieldwork, an automatic minimum 10% telephone validation is undertaken by field supervisors in each centre. An additional 5% telephone validation is carried out from the company's head office.

Mall interviewing

TNS Canada's Consumer Opinion Centre (COC) is a comprehensive network of mall interviewing facilities. Through both a TNS facility and locations operated by trusted suppliers, we offer top quality mall interviewing from coast to coast.

Each facility is equipped with personal computers, enabling both paper and pencil and Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI). CAPI is conducted using our state of the art web-based interviewing system, Confirmit. A viewing facility is located in Toronto. Facilities are equipped with kitchenettes including a refrigerator and microwave. Televisions and VCR's are also available.

Mail panel

TNS Canada mail panels are carefully managed to maintain top response rates and quality data. TNS maintains a staff dedicated to the shipping and receiving of all mail surveys, whether to our panel members, or to individuals from other sources, for example, client lists. Each project receives the utmost attention to detail, ensuring the mail-out is correctly packaged and shipped.

The TNS Mail Services group handles nearly nine million pieces of outgoing mail annually, averaging more than 30,000 pieces a day. Our staff handle mailings ranging from small and simple to complex survey designs involving multiple versions and sample groups. Incoming surveys are carefully counted and catalogued daily, by project, affording us the ability to track returns throughout the data processing phase. In addition, all respondent queries are answered within 24 hours, with most questions being answered immediately, eliminating delays in communicating back to our respondents.

TNS has an extensive network of offices in over 80 countries worldwide, combining global perspective with local understanding.