Survey device, survey method, and program

Abstract

To encourage users to respond appropriately to surveys by granting many rewards when the users respond to the surveys within an appropriate response time.SOLUTION: A survey device 101 includes: a reception unit 110 that accepts applications from users intending to participate in a survey comprising one or more questions; a question unit 120 that presents the one or more questions to the user; a calculation unit 130 that calculates an elapsed time from application to response when all responses to the one or more questions are completed by the user; an acquisition unit 150 that acquires statistical information relating to other elapsed times calculated for expected users who are expected to participate in the survey or other participating users who have participated in the survey; a determination unit 160 that determines a reward to be granted to the user on the basis of a deviation between a reference value from the acquired statistical information and the calculated elapsed time; and an update unit 170 that updates the statistical information on the basis of the elapsed time calculated for the user for whom the reward has been determined.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a questionnaire device, a questionnaire method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Business operators may conduct questionnaire surveys on websites for users in order to investigate user satisfaction with their own products or services, user awareness, trends, etc. A system that gives points to users who answer the questionnaire is known in order to encourage answering the questionnaire (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Generally, users who respond to the desire for points may approach the task carelessly, such as not reading the questions accurately or answering carelessly in order to answer quickly. In such a case, the business operator cannot obtain the true intentions of the users through the questionnaire survey. Therefore, various countermeasures have been considered to prevent users from approaching the task carelessly.

[0004] For example, it is conceivable to measure the time from when a user starts answering until the user finishes answering, and give more points the longer the answering time is. However, with such a countermeasure, there is a problem that the user may leave the questionnaire unanswered and then hurriedly answer at the end, and ultimately the business operator cannot obtain the true intentions of the users.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a questionnaire device, a questionnaire method, and a program that encourage a user to appropriately answer a questionnaire by giving a large reward when the user answers the questionnaire within an appropriate response time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a questionnaire device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a reception unit that receives an application from a user who wants to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more questions; a question unit that presents the one or more questions to the user; when all answers to the one or more questions by the user are completed, a calculation unit that calculates the elapsed time from the application to the answer; an acquisition unit that acquires statistical information related to other elapsed times calculated for an assumed user assumed to participate in the questionnaire or other participating users who have participated in the questionnaire; a determination unit that determines a reward to be given to the user based on a deviation between a reference value based on the acquired statistical information and the calculated elapsed time; an update unit that updates the statistical information based on the elapsed time calculated for the user for whom the reward has been determined; and is characterized by including the above.

[0008] Further, a questionnaire method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes: a computer receives an application from a user who wants to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more questions, presents the one or more questions to the user, when all answers to the one or more questions by the user are completed, calculates the elapsed time from the application to the answer, Obtain statistical information related to other elapsed times calculated for assumed users expected to participate in the questionnaire or other participating users who have participated in the questionnaire, Based on the deviation between the reference value based on the obtained statistical information and the calculated elapsed time, determine the reward to be given to the user, Update the statistical information based on the elapsed time calculated for the user to whom the reward has been determined, which is characterized by.

[0009] Also, the program according to the third aspect of the present invention, On a computer, A reception unit that receives an application from a user who intends to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more questions, A question unit that presents the one or more questions to the user, When all the answers to the one or more questions by the user are completed, A calculation unit that calculates the elapsed time from the application to the answer, An acquisition unit that acquires statistical information related to other elapsed times calculated for assumed users expected to participate in the questionnaire or other participating users who have participated in the questionnaire, A determination unit that determines the reward to be given to the user based on the deviation between the reference value based on the acquired statistical information and the calculated elapsed time, An update unit that updates the statistical information based on the elapsed time calculated for the user to whom the reward has been determined, characterized by functioning as.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a questionnaire device, a questionnaire method, and a program that encourage users to appropriately answer a questionnaire by giving a large reward when the questionnaire is answered within an appropriate response time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] (First Embodiment) (Relationship among Questionnaire Device, Terminal Device, and Program) The questionnaire device according to this embodiment is constituted by one or a plurality of server devices. The questionnaire device presents a questionnaire to a user who uses a terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer, and gives rewards such as points and privileges according to the response time of the questionnaire.

[0013] The questionnaire device according to this embodiment can be used, for example, when an operator providing an Internet sales service wants to more accurately know the satisfaction level of its own products or services.

[0014] Now, although it is common for the questionnaire device of this embodiment to be realized by causing a computer to execute a program, it is also possible to execute the processing by a dedicated electronic circuit.

[0015] In addition, as an intermediate form between a computer and a dedicated electronic circuit, by applying technologies such as FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that compiles a program into a design script of an electronic circuit and dynamically configures the electronic circuit based on the design script, it is also possible to configure the questionnaire device of this embodiment.

[0016] The questionnaire device according to this embodiment is realized by one or a plurality of server computers that communicate with a terminal device accessing a questionnaire site provided by the questionnaire device, and execute each function realized by one or a plurality of server programs.

[0017] The terminal device according to this embodiment is a terminal computer that realizes a smartphone or the like, and can be realized by executing a terminal program provided from a distributor server or the like by an operator or an operator.

[0018] As the terminal program, what corresponds to a so-called "app" can be adopted. Further, the terminal program may be incorporated into other apps such as an app for providing an Internet sales service.

[0019] In addition, as the terminal program, a general browser can be adopted, or a script program operating on the browser can be adopted as the terminal program.

[0020] In these cases, apps and browsers operating on the terminal computer function as an interface for providing a questionnaire to the user by communicating with the questionnaire device functioning as an app server or a web server.

[0021] Generally, programs executed on a server computer or a terminal computer can be recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory information recording medium such as a compact disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, a magnetic tape, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), a flash memory, a semiconductor memory, etc. This information recording medium can also be distributed and sold independently of the server computer.

[0022] In a server computer or a terminal computer, a program recorded on a non-transitory information recording medium such as a flash memory or a hard disk is read into a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a temporary storage device, and then the CPU (Central Processing Unit) executes the instructions included in the read program. However, in an architecture where the RAM and the ROM are mapped to a single memory space for execution, the CPU directly reads and executes the instructions included in the program stored in the ROM.

[0023] Furthermore, server programs and terminal programs can be distributed and sold from a distribution server or the like managed by an operator or an administrator to a server computer, a terminal computer, etc. via a temporary transmission medium such as a computer communication network, independently of the computer on which the program is executed.

[0024] When the questionnaire device is composed of a plurality of computers, the programs operating on each computer are a plurality of different server programs that cooperate while having different functions from each other. Therefore, the combination of the plurality of programs can be considered as a system program for realizing the questionnaire device.

[0025] Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the questionnaire device provides an Internet sales site and provides a questionnaire for investigating the satisfaction level of products handled on the Internet sales site.

[0026] (Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the cooperation between the questionnaire device and other devices. Hereinafter, an explanation will be given with reference to this figure.

[0027] The questionnaire device 101 is connected via a computer communication network 103 such as the Internet to one or more terminal devices 102.

[0028] The questionnaire device 101 is operated by an operator or provider of an Internet sales service, and provides an Internet sales site to users who use the terminal device 102 via the computer communication network 103. The operator or provider uses the questionnaire device 101 to send a questionnaire form to the terminal device 102 used by a user who has purchased a specific product or the like, and conducts a questionnaire to investigate the satisfaction level and the like of the user with respect to the product or the like.

[0029] The terminal device 102 is a terminal used by a user who uses the Internet sales site provided by the questionnaire device 101. The user uses the terminal device 102 to utilize the Internet sales service or to answer a questionnaire sent from the questionnaire device 101.

[0030] (Functional configuration of the questionnaire device)

[0031] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the functional configuration of the questionnaire device 101. The questionnaire device 101 includes a reception unit 110, a question unit 120, a calculation unit 130, a database (DB) 140, an acquisition unit 150, a determination unit 160, and an update unit 170.

[0032] The reception unit 110 receives an application from a user who wishes to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more questions.

[0033] The question unit 120 presents one or more questions to the user.

[0034] When all the answers to one or more questions by the user are completed, the calculation unit 130 calculates the elapsed time from the application to the answer.

[0035] The DB 140 stores a statistical information table T1 and a probability-reward conversion table T2, which will be described later.

[0036] The acquisition unit 150 acquires statistical information related to other elapsed times for an assumed user who is assumed to participate in the questionnaire or other participated users who have participated in the questionnaire. The statistical information related to other elapsed times is recorded in the statistical information table T1 stored in the DB 140. The assumed user is a virtual user, and the business operator or operator stores the elapsed time of the assumed user in the statistical information table T1 in advance.

[0037] The determination unit 160 determines the reward to be given to the user based on the deviation between the reference value based on the statistical information acquired by the acquisition unit 150 and the elapsed time calculated by the calculation unit 130. The reference value is, for example, the average value of other elapsed times. The reference value may be other reference values such as the median.

[0038] The update unit 170 updates the statistical information for the user whose reward has been determined by the determination unit 160 based on the elapsed time calculated by the calculation unit 130.

[0039] (Interaction between the questionnaire device and the terminal device) FIG. 3 is a session diagram showing the state of interaction between the questionnaire device 101 and the terminal device 102. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the outline of the interaction between the questionnaire device 101 and the terminal device 102 will be described.

[0040] First, when the user selects the participation application button 310 on the questionnaire participation application screen 300 displayed on the terminal device 102 as shown in the example of FIG. 5, the terminal device 102 transmits a participation application notification to the questionnaire device 101 (701). When the questionnaire device 101 receives the participation application notification from the terminal device 102, it transmits the question screen 400 shown in the example of FIG. 6 to the terminal device 102 (702) and starts timing (703).

[0041] Subsequently, on the terminal device 102, a questionnaire screen 400 is displayed. When the user enters an answer in the answer field 410 (704) and selects the answer transmission button 420 (705), the terminal device 102 transmits an answer notification to the questionnaire device 101 (706). Hereinafter, (702) to (706) are repeated for the number of questions included in the questionnaire.

[0042] Then, for the last question, when the questionnaire device 101 transmits the questionnaire screen 400 (707), the user enters an answer in the answer field 410, selects the answer transmission button 420, and the terminal device 102 transmits an answer notification (710), the questionnaire device 101 ends the timing (711).

[0043] After that, the questionnaire device 101 determines the reward to be given to the user based on the timed time (712) and transmits a reward granting screen 500 shown in the example of FIG. 8 to the terminal device 102 (713).

[0044] When the reward granting screen 500 is displayed on the terminal device 102 and the user selects the confirmation button 510 (714), the terminal device 102 transmits a confirmation notification to the questionnaire device 101 (715). When the questionnaire device 101 receives the confirmation notification, it executes a process for granting a reward (716).

[0045] (Questionnaire Process) FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of a questionnaire process executed by the questionnaire device 101 in the first embodiment. In the questionnaire process, the questionnaire device 101 measures the response time when the user answers the questionnaire and assigns points according to the measured response time. Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0046] The survey process starts when the power supply of the survey device 101 is turned on. When the survey process starts, the reception unit 110 first determines whether or not the user has applied to participate in the survey (step S210). When the user taps on the terminal device 102 a button associated with a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a link for inviting the user to participate in the survey published on an Internet sales site or a mail magazine, a survey participation application screen 300 shown in the example of FIG. 5 is displayed. A participation application button 310 is displayed on the survey participation application screen 300. When the participation application button 310 is selected by the user, the terminal device 102 transmits a participation application notice indicating that the user has applied to participate to the survey device 101. When the survey device 101 receives the participation application notice from the terminal device 102, it determines that the user has applied to participate in the survey. The survey participation application screen 300 may clearly indicate that points will be awarded according to the answering time and that many points can be earned by answering in an appropriate time.

[0047] The reception unit 110 remains in a standby state until it is determined that an application to participate in the survey has been received (No in step S210). When the reception unit 110 determines that an application to participate in the survey has been received (Yes in step S210), the questioning unit 120 presents the question screen 400 shown in the example of Fig. 6 to the user (step S220). Specifically, the questioning unit 120 transmits the question screen 400 shown in the example of Fig. 6 to the terminal device 102, and the terminal device 102 displays the received question screen 400, thereby presenting it to the user.

[0048] On the inquiry screen 400, an inquiry sentence, an answer field 410, and an answer transmission button 420 are displayed. The answer field 410 is a field where the user inputs an answer to the inquiry sentence. The answer transmission button 420 is a button that the user selects when the answer is completed. When the user inputs an answer in the answer field 410 and selects the answer transmission button 420, the terminal device 102 transmits an answer notification designating the answer input in the answer field 410 to the questionnaire device 101. Also, when there are a plurality of inquiries in the questionnaire, when the inquiry unit 120 receives the answer notification, it transmits the inquiry screen 400 of the next inquiry to the terminal device 102 and displays it. The inquiry unit 120 repeats this operation until the last inquiry. Note that the inquiry screen 400 shown in the example of FIG. 6 is just an example, and a questionnaire in a format that allows the user to select one or more options from a plurality of options may be used, or a plurality of inquiries may be listed on one page.

[0049] Returning to FIG. 4, when the inquiry unit 120 presents the inquiry screen 400 to the user, the calculation unit 130 starts timing (step S230). The calculation unit 130 writes the start time of timing into the statistical information table T1 stored in the DB 140.

[0050] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the statistical information table T1. In the statistical information table T1, information such as participant ID, implementation date, start time, end time, elapsed time, deviation, probability, and reward is stored for each user participating in the questionnaire. The participant ID is information for identifying the user participating in the questionnaire. The implementation date is the date when the questionnaire was implemented. The start time and the end time are the start time when the calculation unit 130 starts timing and the end time when the timing ends, respectively. The elapsed time is the difference between the end time and the start time. The deviation is the deviation between the elapsed time and the reference value of other elapsed times related to the assumed user or the users who have already participated. Here, the reference value is the average value of other elapsed times. The probability is the probability that the difference between the elapsed time randomly extracted from the statistical information of other elapsed times and the reference value is equal to or greater than the deviation between the current elapsed time and the reference value, which will be described in detail later. The reward is calculated by the determination unit 160 based on the probability, which will be described in detail later.

[0051] Returning to FIG. 4, the calculation unit 130 then determines whether the user has completed answering the questionnaire (step S240). When the user selects the answer transmission button 420 on the last questionnaire screen 400 and the terminal device 102 transmits an answer notification to the questionnaire device 101 and the questionnaire device 101 receives the answer notification, the calculation unit 130 determines that the user has completed answering the questionnaire (Yes in step S240). The calculation unit 130 remains in a standby state until it determines that the user has completed answering the questionnaire (No in step S240).

[0052] When the calculation unit 130 determines that the user has completed answering the questionnaire (Yes in step S240), it ends the timing (step S250). When the calculation unit 130 ends the timing, it writes the answer end time to the statistical information table T1.

[0053] The subsequent process proceeds to a reward determination process (step S260) for determining the reward to be given to the user. The reward determination process will be described later.

[0054] When the reward to be given to the user is determined by the reward determination process, the questionnaire device 101 gives the reward to the user (step S270). At this time, the questionnaire device 101 may execute a process (not shown) for giving the reward to the user and transmit and display a reward giving screen 500 shown in the example of FIG. 8 to the terminal device 102. The reward giving screen 500 displays the points obtained by the user in this questionnaire and a confirmation button 510 for indicating that the points have been confirmed. The questionnaire device 101 may execute a process for giving the reward to the user after receiving a confirmation notification transmitted from the terminal device 102 when the user selects the confirmation button 510. Then, the process ends.

[0055] Next, a reward determination process for determining the reward to be given to the user will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the reward determination process. When the reward determination process starts, the calculation unit 130 calculates the elapsed time required for the user to answer the questionnaire from the start time and the end time written in the statistical information table T1 shown in FIG. 7 (step S261). Specifically, the calculation unit 130 calculates the elapsed time by taking the difference between the start time and the end time. Then, the calculation unit 130 writes the calculated elapsed time into the statistical information table.

[0056] After that, the acquisition unit 150 acquires statistical information related to other elapsed times from the DB140 (step S262). Specifically, the acquisition unit 150 calculates and acquires the average value as the reference value of the elapsed time from the statistical information of participants other than the current participant among the information recorded in the DB140. Here, when there is not enough statistical information about the users who have already participated immediately after the start of the questionnaire, etc., even if the average value is calculated, it will not be a value representing the population. Therefore, the business operator or the operator randomly generates some statistical information of the assumed users in advance and sets it in the statistical information table.

[0057] Subsequently, the determination unit 160 calculates the deviation between the average value acquired by the acquisition unit 150 and the elapsed time calculated by the calculation unit 130 (step S263).

[0058] Then, the determination unit 160 determines the reward to be given to the user based on the calculated deviation (step S264). At this time, the determination unit 160 obtains the probability that the difference between the elapsed time and the average value as the reference value is greater than or equal to the deviation between the current elapsed time and the average value by the Monte Carlo method based on the statistical information acquired by the acquisition unit 150, and determines the reward to be given to the user based on the obtained probability.

[0059] Here, while referring to FIG. 10, consider a histogram in which the number of people is counted for each elapsed time within a predetermined range for N elapsed times. In the example of FIG. 10, consider the elapsed time at the N / 2-th position among N people, that is, the median, as the reference value. In the present embodiment, the reward obtained by the user decreases as the distance from the reference value increases. Here, "being far from the reference value" means examining what position (p-th position) the current elapsed time is in, and if the value of p - N / 2 is N / 2 and |p - N / 2| / N is close to 0, it is regarded as "normal", and if |p - N / 2| / N is close to 1 / 2, it is regarded as "abnormal".

[0060] Generally, it is considered that the elapsed time follows a normal distribution or a Poisson distribution. In the present embodiment, consider the case where the elapsed time follows a normal distribution as an example. Hereinafter, consider the reference value as the average value.

[0061] The probability that the difference between the elapsed time and the reference value is greater than or equal to the deviation between the current elapsed time and the average value is obtained as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 11(a), when the reference value E which is the average value is 5 minutes and 30 seconds and the current elapsed time Ti is also 5 minutes and 30 seconds, the deviation between the current elapsed time Ti and the reference value E is 0 seconds. Therefore, the probability P(|t - E| > |Ti - E|) that the difference between the elapsed time t randomly taken from the elapsed time distribution by the Monte Carlo method and the reference value E is greater than the current deviation is 100%. This is also, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(b), when the reference value E is 5 minutes and 30 seconds and the current elapsed time Ti is 6 minutes and 30 seconds, the deviation between the current elapsed time Ti and the reference value E is 60 seconds. Considering the case where the standard deviation is 30 seconds, the probability P(|t - E| > |Ti - E|) that the difference between the elapsed time t randomly taken from the elapsed time distribution by the Monte Carlo method and the reference value E is greater than the current deviation is approximately 4.56%. Note that the probability P(|t - E| > |Ti - E|) corresponds to the shaded portion in the figure.

[0062] When the determination unit 160 calculates the probability that the difference between the elapsed time t and the reference value E is greater than or equal to the deviation between the current elapsed time and the average value, it refers to the probability-reward conversion table T2 shown in FIG. 12 to determine the reward to be given to the user. In the probability-reward conversion table T2, probabilities and the rewards to be given are registered in association with each other. For example, as in the example of FIG. 11(a), if the calculated probability is 100%, the determination unit 160 determines to give 200 points to the user, and as in the example of FIG. 11(b), if the calculated probability is 4.56%, it determines to give 50 points.

[0063] After that, the update unit 170 updates the statistical information about the user to whom the reward has been determined (step S265). The update unit 170 updates the statistical information by writing the calculated elapsed time, deviation, probability, and reward for the user to whom the reward has been determined into the statistical information table T1. Then, the reward determination process ends, and the process proceeds to step S270 shown in FIG. 4.

[0064] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the reward obtained decreases if the response time is too short or too long. That is, the farther away from the average response time, the more the reward decreases, and the closer to the average response time, the more rewards can be obtained. This gives the user an appropriate sense of tension, prevents them from working carelessly, and enables the operator to conduct a beneficial survey.

[0065] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations and processes as those in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the reward was determined based on the response time for answering all of the one or more questions included in the questionnaire. However, in the second embodiment, the reward is determined for each question among the plurality of questions included in the questionnaire, and the sum of the rewards obtained for each question is given to the user.

[0066] In the second embodiment, the calculation unit 130 calculates the response time required for the response for each of one or more questions or for each question. The acquisition unit 150 acquires, from the DB 140, response statistical information related to the response time of the assumed user or other participating users. The response statistical information is recorded in the statistical information table T1 stored in the DB 140. In the second embodiment, the statistical information table T1 is prepared for each question. Then, the determination unit 160 determines the response reward for answering the question based on the response statistical information for each question and the response time calculated by the calculation unit 130.

[0067] (Questionnaire process) FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the questionnaire process executed by the questionnaire device 101 in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the explanation will be made with reference to FIG. 13. Here, it is assumed that the questionnaire includes n questions. n is an integer of 2 or more.

[0068] When the questionnaire process starts, the reception unit 110 first determines whether there is an application from the user to participate in the questionnaire (step S210). The reception unit 110 waits in a standby state until it determines that there is an application to participate in the questionnaire (No in step S210). When the reception unit 110 determines that there is an application to participate in the questionnaire (Yes in step S210), the reception unit 110 sets i = 1 for the question number i (step S215).

[0069] Subsequently, the question section 120 presents the user with a question screen 400 shown in the example of FIG. 6 for the first question (step S221). Then, the calculation unit 130 starts timing (step S231) and determines whether the user has completed answering the questionnaire (step S241). When the user selects the answer transmission button 420 on the question screen 400 of the i-th question, the terminal device 102 transmits an answer notification to the questionnaire device 101, and when the questionnaire device 101 receives the answer notification, the calculation unit 130 determines that the user has completed answering the questionnaire (Yes in step S241). The calculation unit 130 remains in a standby state until it determines that the user has completed answering the questionnaire (No in step S241).

[0070] When the calculation unit 130 determines that the user has completed answering the questionnaire (Yes in step S241), it ends the timing (step S251). The subsequent process proceeds to a reward determination process (step S260) for determining the reward to be given to the user. The flow of the reward determination process is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0071] When the reward to be given to the user is determined by the reward determination process, the question section 120 notifies the user of the obtained reward (step S271). That is, each time the user answers each of one or more questions, the question section 120 notifies the user of the answer reward obtained in that question or the sum of the answer rewards obtained so far. Specifically, the questionnaire device 101 notifies the user of the obtained reward by transmitting and displaying a reward notification screen 600 shown in the example of FIG. 14 to the terminal device 102. FIG. 14 is a reward notification screen 600 for the fifth question. The reward notification screen 600 displays the points obtained in the fifth question and the total points obtained up to the fifth question, but either one may be displayed. Also, a confirmation button 610 for indicating that the user has confirmed the obtained points is displayed on the reward notification screen 600.

[0072] When the user selects the confirmation button 610, a confirmation notice is sent from the terminal device 102 to the questionnaire device 101. When the reception unit 110 receives the confirmation notice from the terminal device 102, it determines whether i = n (step S272). If the reception unit 110 determines that i is not n, that is, the answers to all questions have not been completed (No in step S272), it increments i (step S273). Then, for the next question, the process proceeds to step S221.

[0073] On the other hand, when the reception unit 110 determines that i is n, that is, the answers to all questions have been completed (Yes in step S272), the questionnaire device 101 gives a reward to the user (step S274). After that, the process ends.

[0074] As described above, according to the second embodiment, a reward is determined for each question, and the determined reward is notified to the user for each question. Thereby, since the user can know the current reward during the questionnaire, the motivation to answer the questionnaire can be maintained, and ultimately, it becomes possible for the business operator to conduct a beneficial survey.

[0075] (Modification Example 1) In the above-described embodiment, the reward is determined based on the probability P(|t - E| > |Ti - E|) that the difference between the elapsed time t randomly extracted by the Monte Carlo method from the distribution of the elapsed time and the reference value E becomes greater than the current deviation. However, more simply, the deviation value of the current elapsed time Ti may be calculated. That is, the determination unit 160 may obtain the deviation value in the statistical information acquired by the acquisition unit 150 of the deviation between the current elapsed time Ti and the reference value E, and determine the reward to be given to the user based on the obtained deviation value. In this case, the deviation value - reward conversion table T3 shown in the example of FIG. 15 is stored in the DB 140. In the deviation value - reward conversion table T3, the deviation value and the reward are registered in association with each other, and the higher the deviation value is, the higher the points are, and the lower the deviation value is from the average, the lower the points are.

[0076] The determination unit 160 obtains the deviation value of the deviation between the current elapsed time Ti and the reference value E in the statistical information obtained by the acquisition unit 150, refers to the deviation value - reward conversion table T3, and determines the reward associated with the obtained deviation value as the reward to be given to the user.

[0077] (Modification Example 2) Also, in the above-described embodiment, the reward was determined based on the probability P(|t - E| > |Ti - E|) that the difference between the elapsed time t randomly extracted by the Monte Carlo method from the distribution of the elapsed time and the reference value E becomes greater than the current deviation. At this time, however, the magnitude relationship between the current elapsed time Ti and the reference value E was not considered. The determination unit 160 may obtain the probability in consideration of the magnitude relationship between the elapsed time Ti and the reference value E. That is, for example, as shown in the example of FIG. 16, when the current elapsed time Ti is greater than the reference value E, the probability P(t - E > Ti - E), which is the shaded portion in the figure, is obtained, and the reward corresponding to the obtained probability P may be determined. Assuming that the standard deviation is 60 seconds, the shaded portion is calculated to be 2.28%.

[0078] Conversely, when the current elapsed time Ti is less than the reference value E, the probability P(t - E < Ti - E) is obtained, and the reward corresponding to the obtained probability P is determined.

[0079] (Modification Example 3) In the above-described second embodiment, after the user answers the question, the reward obtained by the user in that question (the i-th question) is presented (step S271). However, the reward obtained in the (i - 1)-th question or the sum of the rewards obtained in the questions up to the (i - 1)-th question may be presented on the question screen 400. In this case, in step S221, the question unit 120 presents the question screen 401 shown in the example of FIG. 17 to the user.

[0080] The inquiry screen 401 is an example of an inquiry screen 401 that is a multiple-choice questionnaire for the fifth inquiry. On the inquiry screen 401, a reward notification area 605, an inquiry sentence, options 411, and an answer submission button 420 are displayed. The reward notification area 605 is displayed above the inquiry sentence, and the points obtained in the fourth inquiry and the total points obtained up to the fourth inquiry are displayed, but either one of them may be displayed. The options 411 are prepared with multiple answers to the inquiry sentence, and one or more of them can be selected. On the inquiry screen 401, since the rewards and the like obtained in the previous inquiry are displayed in a manner that is easy for the user to confirm, there is an effect that it is easy to maintain the user's motivation to answer the questionnaire.

[0081] (Supplementary Note) (Supplementary Note 1) A reception unit that receives an application from a user who intends to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more inquiries, An inquiry unit that presents the one or more inquiries to the user, When all the answers to the one or more inquiries by the user are completed, A calculation unit that calculates the elapsed time from the application to the answer, An acquisition unit that acquires statistical information related to other elapsed times calculated for an assumed user who is assumed to participate in the questionnaire or another participated user who has participated in the questionnaire, A determination unit that determines the reward to be given to the user based on the deviation between the reference value based on the acquired statistical information and the calculated elapsed time, An update unit that updates the statistical information based on the elapsed time calculated for the user for whom the reward has been determined, A questionnaire device, characterized by comprising:

[0082] (Supplementary Note 2) The calculation unit further calculates the answer time required for the answer for each of the one or more inquiries or for each inquiry, The acquisition unit further acquires answer statistical information related to the answer time of the assumed user or another participated user, The determination unit further determines a response reward for answering each of the questions based on the response statistical information for each of the questions and the calculated response time. The questionnaire device according to appended note 1, characterized in that.

[0083] (Appended note 3) Each time the user answers each of the one or more questions, the question unit notifies the user of the response reward obtained for that question or the sum of the response rewards obtained so far. The questionnaire device according to appended note 2, characterized in that.

[0084] (Appended note 4) The reference value is an average value. The questionnaire device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 3, characterized in that.

[0085] (Appended note 5) The determination unit further Based on the Monte Carlo method based on the obtained statistical information, obtain the probability that the difference between the elapsed time and the reference value is greater than or equal to the deviation between the current elapsed time and the reference value. Based on the obtained probability, determine the reward to be given to the user. The questionnaire device according to any one of appended notes 1 to 4, characterized in that.

[0086] (Appended note 6) The determination unit further Obtain the deviation value in the obtained statistical information of the deviation between the current elapsed time and the reference value. Based on the obtained deviation value, determine the reward to be given to the user. The questionnaire device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that.

[0087] (Appended note 7) A computer Receives an application from a user who wants to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more questions. Present the one or more questions to the user, When all the answers to the one or more questions by the user are completed, Calculate the elapsed time from the application to the answer, Obtain statistical information related to other elapsed times calculated for an assumed user assumed to participate in the questionnaire or other participated users who have participated in the questionnaire, Based on the deviation between the reference value according to the obtained statistical information and the calculated elapsed time, determine the reward to be given to the user, Update the statistical information based on the elapsed time calculated for the user to whom the reward has been determined, A questionnaire method characterized by the above.

[0088] (Appendix 8) On a computer, A reception unit that receives an application from a user who wants to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more questions, A question unit that presents the one or more questions to the user, When all the answers to the one or more questions by the user are completed, A calculation unit that calculates the elapsed time from the application to the answer, An acquisition unit that acquires statistical information related to other elapsed times calculated for an assumed user assumed to participate in the questionnaire or other participated users who have participated in the questionnaire, A determination unit that determines the reward to be given to the user based on the deviation between the reference value according to the obtained statistical information and the calculated elapsed time, An update unit that updates the statistical information based on the elapsed time calculated for the user to whom the reward has been determined, A program characterized by causing it to function as such.

[0089] The present invention can be variously embodied and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention in a broad sense. Further, the above-described embodiments are for explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the embodiments. And various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are regarded as being within the scope of this invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0090] The present invention can be suitably adopted for a questionnaire device, a questionnaire method, and a program that prompt a user to appropriately answer a questionnaire by giving a large reward when the user answers the questionnaire within an appropriate response time.

Explanation of Signs

[0091] 101 Questionnaire device 102 Terminal device 103 Computer communication network 110 Reception unit 120 Question section 130 Calculation unit 140 Database (DB) 150 Acquisition unit 160 Decision unit 170 Update unit 300 Questionnaire participation application screen 310 Application button 400, 401 Question screen 410 Answer field 411 Options 420 Answer transmission button 500 Reward giving screen 510, 610 Confirmation button 600 Reward notification screen 605 Reward notification area T1 Statistical information table T2 Probability - reward table

Claims

1. A reception unit that receives an application from a user who wishes to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more questions, A question unit that presents the one or more questions to the user, When all the answers to the one or more questions by the user are completed, A calculation unit that calculates the elapsed time from the application to the answer, An acquisition unit that acquires statistical information related to other elapsed times calculated for an assumed user who is assumed to participate in the questionnaire or other participating users who have already participated in the questionnaire, A determination unit that determines the reward to be given to the user based on the deviation between the reference value based on the acquired statistical information and the calculated elapsed time, An update unit that updates the statistical information based on the elapsed time calculated for the user to whom the reward has been determined, A questionnaire device, characterized by comprising:

2. The calculation unit further calculates the answer time required for each of the one or more questions or for each question, The acquisition unit further acquires answer statistical information related to the answer times of the assumed user or other participating users, The determination unit further determines an answer reward for answering each of the questions based on the answer statistical information for each of the questions and the calculated answer time, The questionnaire device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

3. The question unit further notifies the user of the answer reward obtained in that question or the sum of the answer rewards obtained so far each time each of the one or more questions is answered, The questionnaire device according to claim 2, characterized in that:

4. The reference value is an average value, The questionnaire device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

5. The determination unit further: Obtains the probability that the difference between the elapsed time and the reference value becomes greater than or equal to the deviation between the current elapsed time and the reference value by the Monte Carlo method based on the acquired statistical information, Determines the reward to be given to the user based on the obtained probability, The questionnaire device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

6. The determination unit further: Obtains the deviation value in the acquired statistical information of the deviation between the current elapsed time and the reference value, Determines the reward to be given to the user based on the obtained deviation value, The questionnaire device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

7. A computer Receives an application from a user who wishes to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more questions, Present the one or more questions to the user, When all the answers to the one or more questions by the user are completed, Calculate the elapsed time from the application to the answer, Obtain statistical information regarding other elapsed times calculated for an assumed user assumed to participate in the questionnaire or other participating users who have participated in the questionnaire, Determine the reward to be given to the user based on the deviation between the reference value based on the obtained statistical information and the calculated elapsed time, Update the statistical information based on the elapsed time calculated for the user for whom the reward has been determined, A questionnaire method characterized by the above.

8. On a computer, A reception unit that receives an application from a user who wishes to participate in a questionnaire consisting of one or more questions, A question unit that presents the one or more questions to the user, When all the answers to the one or more questions by the user are completed, A calculation unit that calculates the elapsed time from the application to the answer, An acquisition unit that obtains statistical information regarding other elapsed times calculated for an assumed user assumed to participate in the questionnaire or other participating users who have participated in the questionnaire, A determination unit that determines the reward to be given to the user based on the deviation between the reference value based on the obtained statistical information and the calculated elapsed time, An update unit that updates the statistical information based on the elapsed time calculated for the user for whom the reward has been determined, A program characterized by causing it to function as such.

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