the request of the survey sponsor one example of a sound player is windows media player by microsoft in one embodiment the software is optionally web based the web based software enables studies in multiple cities multiple countries at minimal cost data transfer can be made to a central location instantly for analysis multiple language audio recordings and written instructions can be administered in a single survey due to the user friendly nature of the computer software participants can self administer their surveys a significantly larger sample size for studies can be employed at considerable cost savings cultural preferences relating to different markets can be more readily assessed to permit more accurate participant preference data to affect go no go product development and marketing decisions for pharmaceutical and other health related products a statistically significant sampler style is divided into two groups of participants the two groups are administered questionnaires relating to four different health states the control group is administered using the pen and paper method the study group is administered using pharmideas quality of life survey software tool available from pharmideas oakville ontario canada the program administrators for the control group are given multiple display panels for various health state questionnaires and are asked to administer the survey using ping pong method manually calculated each instruction and question is to be read to the participant each response is to be verbally confirmed the panels are designed to resemble the computer screen choices of the software program by pharmideas both the time trade off method and the standard gamble method 15 is used for each survey biographical and demographic data is collected for each participant including sex age medical history family medical history and other information needed to.