Introduction of Internet Survey Methodology to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Andrew Ward, Maitha Al Junaibi and Dragica Sarich
Overview
About SCAD History of establishment surveys at SCAD Forming the Survey Centre Internet survey capabilities Implementation for Economic Surveys Issues of non-response Advantages and challenges Lessons learned Conclusion
About SCAD
Established in 2008 Only official authority for collection, preparation,
compilation and dissemination of statistics for Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Responsible for conducting population censuses along with economic, social and environmental surveys
SCAD’s aims: Develop and organize a statistical system in the
Emirate Provide relevant and reliable official statistics serving
policy makers, the business community and the public
Establishment surveys at SCAD
Previous approach to data collection:
Enumerators visit sample establishments and leave questionnaire
Enumerators may also help the establishments complete the form
Enumerators return the forms to SCAD Forms are checked by manually by field supervisors
and by subject matter experts
Establishment surveys at SCAD (cont’d)
Previous approach to data collection:
If errors or omissions are detected, form is returned to business to be fixed
Text responses to questions are coded into categories by a team of coders
Data entry operators key questionnaires using in-house data entry program with many validation rules
Issues with:
Overly long collection periods High resource costs Respondent burden Reduced time for analysis Publication delays
Establishment surveys at SCAD (cont’d)
Forming the Survey Centre
Intensive program of establishment surveys in 2011 Run at the same time as Abu Dhabi Census SCAD had to revise its approach to ensure quality,
timeliness and cost objectives were met Formed a Survey Centre for Establishment Surveys to
focus on suite of economic surveys:• Dedicated resources and review of design and
implementation of establishment surveys• Modernise and streamline approach to meet publication
targets for economic indicators.
Internet survey capabilities
Key aspect of re-design was introduction of Internet as a mode of data collection:
• Modern telecommunications infrastructure in Abu Dhabi
• High uptake of technology by the population• High level of Internet usage
Web collection seen as viable additional mode for establishment surveys
Internet survey capabilities (cont’d)
Purchased Sawtooth software for mixed-mode surveys:• WinCati - sample management, call scheduling, quota
control, disposition monitoring• Sensus Web - database for creating and managing sample,
email system for composing and releasing survey invitations and reminders, data entry
• WinCati Mixed Mode - integrated Web/CATI surveys with one questionnaire, single sample database automatically coordinating respondent participation
Dedicated server Workstations for developers, analysts, interviewers Training for all Survey Centre staff
Other design changes
Review of questionnaires to reduce number and complexity of items
Revised sample design to reduce sample size Use of GSBPM to maintain comprehensive project
management throughout entire process Software used for validity checks in place of teams
of auditors
Implementation for Economic Surveys
Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) was first quarterly business survey to be carried out by SCAD
Pilot sought information from establishments about business activities for Q4 of 2010 and Q1-Q2 of 2011
Dispatched to a purposive sample of establishments (n=495) on 2 September 2011
Remained in field for a period of two months until 2 November 2011
Data ultimately collected through web, telephone, email, mail, facsimile and field visits
Final achieved response rate was 67.3%
Issues of survey non-response
Strategies implemented:
Calling the headquarters of a business if branch was not responding
Sending a letter and questionnaire by mail and facsimile
Complete form over telephone with establishment Dedicated helpline for questions / problems Field visits to key establishments Run awareness workshops with establishments Create online tutorials and demonstration videos
Benefits of adding Internet mode
Enabling access to respondents who may not be readily available by telephone during regular office hours
Online surveys can decrease the collection period over other modes
Cost of collection is reduced Data provided in a well-designed web form is available
immediately without the need for data entry
Lessons learned
The quality and extent of contact information is crucial to the success of data collection
Field follow-up of key, non-responding establishments should form part of the multi-mode strategy
Computer systems hosting the web survey must have very high levels of stability and availability
Interviewers must have sufficient training to use the software and to answer respondent questions
File systems storing respondent data need to be well planned with access permissions determined in advance
Conclusion
Adding the web as a mode of data collection has numerous benefits, both for SCAD and for establishments
Benefits for SCAD:• Potential for significant savings in surveys costs and in
time for publications• Improved quality of data and outputs• Continuous development of SCAD staff
Benefits for establishments:• Can choose the most convenient means of responding• Rapidly available survey outputs give valuable and timely
information for business planning
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