Human Versus Computer Interviewing

Abstract
Responses to counterbalanced human and computer interviews were examined for Gordon's Survey of Interpersonal Values to determine whether such responses would differ. Of an initial 72 male and female subjects, 52 completed both interviews scheduled one week apart. A 3-way MANOVA revealed significant response differences between interviewer type. However, neither significant sex or interviewer order differences, nor significant interactions were found. The results suggest that the interpretive validity of responses obtained in a computer interview may be threatened. The authors additionally suggest that the observed differences may be due to an interaction between interviewer type and test anxiety level.