The Basic Blaise® Training is a 3-day course that gives new Blaise developers the information they need to produce data collection instruments and run them in a production environment. The course is relevant for those working with computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI), and computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI).
Westat has a team of trainers who have years of experience using and teaching Blaise in the United States and around the world. The course combines lecture and demonstration with practical, hands-on exercises that students work through at their own pace. Though programming experience is not required, students should be familiar with using computers and Windows®.
Basic Blaise Training covers the following topics:
Students may also introduce topics from their own work environment for discussion.
This is a 3-day course on Blaise CATI call scheduling, call management, and the development and use of specialized CATI components. It covers the handling of various dial results, appointments, delivery priorities, quotas, time zones, and time slices. Also covered are basic data model methods and administrative support programming.
The course is suitable for Blaise developers or Blaise support programmers. It combines lecture and demonstration with practical, hands-on exercises that students work through at their own pace. It is designed to complement the new Blaise CATI Guide.
Topics include:
Blaise Internet Services (BlaiseIS) Training is a 3-day course on the tools, techniques, and processes required to implement web survey instruments in BlaiseIS. Some background or experience in the Blaise system is preferred to reap the full benefits of the training. However, those with little or no Blaise experience can gain a valuable understanding of the elements, approaches, and capabilities of BlaiseIS for their web survey instrument needs.
The course combines lecture and demonstration with practical, hands-on exercises that students work through at their own pace.
Topics covered include:
The Maniplus Training course is a 2-day course that provides an introduction to using Maniplus, the Blaise component that extends Blaise's survey management capabilities. With Maniplus, users can develop laptop management systems, access Blaise data files without running the Data Entry Program, and perform complex data manipulations.
Topics covered in the course include:
The following tables provide a calendar of Basic Blaise, Maniplus, and Special Topics training classes scheduled at Westat. The tables provide pricing information for each class. All classes begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. with a mid-day break from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Enrollment is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
| Basic Blaise Training | Price |
|---|---|
| March 1–3, 2010 | $1,500 per student |
| June 14–16, 2010 | |
| September 20–22, 2010 | |
| November 15–17, 2010 |
| Blaise Basic CATI | Price |
|---|---|
| April 12–14, 2010 | $1,500 per student |
| November 1–3, 2010 |
| BlaiseIS | Price |
|---|---|
| March 22–24, 2010 | $1,500 per student |
| September 13–15, 2010 |
| Maniplus Training | Price |
|---|---|
| June 17–18, 2010 | $1,000 per student |
| November 18–19, 2010 |
To register for training, download the Blaise Training Order Form in PDF format. Print and complete the form, and send it to:
WestatWestat accepts checks, purchase orders, and some major credit cards, including VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. If you have any questions, contact Blaise Services at Westat. Blaise Services will confirm class registration based upon receipt of payment and the total number of student enrollments.
Registrants who need to cancel their training class must do so by letter or email (blaise@westat.com with subject "Blaise Training -- Cancel") at least 7 business days in advance of the first training date in order to receive a full reimbursement. Registrants may transfer their registration to a colleague in their organization at any time. Please notify Westat of any such substitutions as soon as possible. Late cancellations may be billed at the full registration fee.
Training sessions are held at Westat's training and conference facility.
WestatDownload directions to Westat from this Web site. Attendees must make their own hotel and travel arrangements, but Westat can provide a list of hotels within walking distance.
Blaise training at the client's location is available. For per-student fees and estimates of trainer travel and expenses, contact Blaise Services at Westat.