Paper survey

A reliable method

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A solution fit for large scale surveys

The use of paper surveys allows to easily gather a large number of answers from participants, at a relatively low cost.

DataOptique can provide a number of services during each step of the survey process, depending on what you wish to handle or not.

We can help you with the design of your survey, turn the answers into a digital database, and create a study report at the end.

This "paper to digital" transformation is busy work, but our proprietary software DopReader makes the whole process easier thanks to optical reading technologies.

Why choose this over another product?

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Support during the whole process (design, printing, study report)

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Guaranteed speed and accuracy thanks to our proprietary optical reading software

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Simplified processing of large volumes of paper surveys

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Printing & shipping service for your surveys

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Digitization of your data for statistical analysis and archiving

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19 years of expertise with this type of survey method

Step by step breakdown of the survey process

1. Survey design

During our first exchanges, a dedicated consultant will help you analyze your objective and design the content of your survey.

2. Printing the surveys

Next, we can take care of printing and shipping your surveys to your offices before you distribute them to your survey location.

3. Preparing the scanning process

Once you have gathered the filled-out surveys, you simply have to send them back to us.

To scan your surveys into digital data, we calibrate our machines and DopReader software and begin the process.

4. Digitization by optical reading

Your surveys are scanned in order to extract their data through the use of optical reading techniques.

The scanned images can be provided to you to use as dematerialized archives.

5. Data entry

First our operators checks the scannning results for mistakes and corrects them if needed.

Then comes the entry of your survey's data to turn it into a working database. This final product is then sent to you through the net in your preferred format.

6. Return or destruction of your paper archive

Finally, we can send back the paper forms back to you after scanning them for archiving. Otherwise, we can take care of properly disposing of them.

image showing a letter as seen by optical reading software, with full areas being ones and empty areas being zero in binary image of the letter A

How does optical reading work?

Optical character recognition (OCR or OMR) is a computer process that transforms images of typographic characters into digital text files. This process consists of the following steps:

1. Recognition of the text in a scanned image, with the help of DopReader our OCR/OMR software

2. Saving the ensuing data in a dynamic file we can edit

3. Turning this file into a database for statistical analysis

Pricing of a paper survey

A paper survey involves a large number of parameters, especially the design part. The price of this process is therefore very variable.

Our team can take care of every step of the process, depending on your own organization. The cost of certain steps may therefore be subtracted from the overall price if you prefer to handle them yourself.

Here is a list of what might impact the final price: amount and complexity of the survey questions, usage of checkboxes or handwritten areas, quality and size of the printed paper, types of inks used...

After your quote has been agreed upon, here is the list of services you'll get during the survey:

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Chat with a consultant to design and optimize your survey

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Printing and shipping of your paper surveys

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Optical reading and digitization of your data

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Phone support from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday

Let's talk about your project

Ask for a free quote to obtain:

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An appointment with a consultant to define the scope of your project and list your needs

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A detailed document on the methodology and the tools best suited for your project

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