The Basic Blaise Training is a three-day course that gives new Blaise developers the information they need to produce data collection instruments and to 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 U.S. 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 three-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 datamodel 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:
This is a two-day course on the tools, techniques, and processes required to implement web survey intruments in Blaise IS. 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 Blaise IS 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 two-day course that provides an introduction to using Maniplus, the Blaise component that extends Blaise's survey management capabilities. With Maniplus, you 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 Special Topics Training is a two-day course in advanced Blaise functions and capabilities. This course provides instruction on advanced Blaise programming techniques, instrument performance, configurations, and other topics of special interest. Participants should have Basic Blaise instrument programming skills.
Download the Special Topics Course Description to review detailed information on the components of the Special Topics Training Course.
The tables below provide a calendar of Basic Blaise, Maniplus, and Special Topics training classes currently scheduled at Westat. The tables provide pricing information for each class. All classes begin at 9:00 am and end at 4:30 pm with a mid-day break from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Enrollment is accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
| Basic Blaise Training | Price |
|---|---|
| February 18-20, 2008 | $1,500 per student |
| June 16-18, 2008 | |
| September 8-10, 2008 | |
| November 10-12, 2008 |
| Maniplus Training | Price |
|---|---|
| June 19-20, 2008 | $1,000 per student |
| November 13-14, 2008 |
| Blaise Basic CATI | Price |
|---|---|
| April 15-17, 2008 | $1,500 per student |
| November 4-6, 2008 |
| BlaiseIS Basic | Price |
|---|---|
| Febuary 21-22, 2008 | $1,000 per student |
| September 11-12, 2008 |
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.
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 seven (7) business days in advance of the first training date in order to receive a full reimbursement. You may transfer your registration to a colleague in your 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 facility on the first floor at:
WestatYou can download 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.
