PAPI (Paper and pencil interviewing) is the most frequently used method for data collecting. It represents a process of personal interviewing where the pollster holds a printed-out questionnaire, reads the question to the respondent and fills the answers into the questionnaire.

PAPI requires well-trained pollsters whose good approach and communication with the respondents is the basis of collecting information about their stands, beliefs and opinions on a given research subject. It is a suitable method for asking closed, e.g. multiple-choice questions, and for open-ended questions as well. Personal contact with participants might elicit richer and more detailed responses.