Can humans simulate talking like other humans? Comparing simulated clients to real customers in service inquiries

Stokoe, Elizabeth, Sikveland, Rein, Albert, Saul, Hamann, Magnus and Housley, William ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1568-9093 2020. Can humans simulate talking like other humans? Comparing simulated clients to real customers in service inquiries. Discourse Studies 22 (1) , pp. 87-109. 10.1177/1461445619887537

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Abstract

How authentic are inquiry calls made by simulated clients, or ‘mystery shoppers’, to service organizations, when compared to real callers? We analysed 48 simulated and 63 real inquiry calls to different veterinary practices in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The data were transcribed for conversation analysis, as well as coded for a variety of call categories including reason for the call, call outcome and turn design features. Analysis revealed systematic differences between real and simulated calls in terms of (1) reasons for the call, call outcome and call duration and (2) how callers refer to their pets in service requests and follow-up questions about their animal. Our qualitative analyses were supported with statistical summaries and tests. The findings reveal the limitations of mystery shopper methodology for the assessment of service provision. We also discuss the implications of the findings for the use of simulated encounters and the development of conversational agents.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
ISSN:	1461-4456
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 July 2019
Date of Acceptance:	28 July 2019
Last Modified:	06 Nov 2023 21:43
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/124584

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