Computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) is similar to computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI), except that the interview takes place in person instead of over the telephone. Computer Assisted Interviewing (CAPI) is a computer assisted data collection method for replacing paper-and-pen methods of survey data collection and usually conducted at the home or business of the respondent using a PDA or notebook.

Because CAPI interviewers enter data directly into a computer, the separate process of data entry, familiar in paper and pencil surveys, is unnecessary. This eliminates one source of error and saves time and money. Responses to open-ended questions can also be typed in directly. There is no need for separate transcription later. The respondent sits in front of a computer terminal with the interviewer and answers a questionnaire on the screen by using the keyboard, stylus or a mouse while on and off-screen stimuli add to the respondent's interest and involvement in the task.