Scotland’s Census Quality Survey 2011

Neil JacksonGeneral Register Office for Scotland

Agenda

BackgroundOverview of CQSUse of IT in 20112011 survey design2009 rehearsal experienceSummary

Why have a quality survey?

Self-completion census

Provide measure of reliability

Feed into future censuses

Format of CQS

Post enumeration survey

Samples households that have responded to census

Re-asks census questions and compares results

Asks reason for any discrepancies

You’ve just told me that you have a mortgage, but in the census you said you own the house outright. Which was correct on census day?

You’ve just told me that you have a mortgage, but in the census you said you own the house outright. Which was correct on census day?

I have a mortgage. I must have misunderstood the question on the census.

I have a mortgage. I must have misunderstood the question on the census.

Correct response: Owns with a mortgage

Reason for difference: Misunderstood question

Example 1

You’ve just told me that you are retired, but in the census you said you were working full time. Which was correct on census day?

You’ve just told me that you are retired, but in the census you said you were working full time. Which was correct on census day?

I was working on census day, but I have since retired.

I was working on census day, but I have since retired.

Correct response: Full-time employee

Reason for difference: No difference

Example 2

Output

Quality report giving accuracy rate for each question

Some examples from 2001:sex 99.9%hours worked 80.2%qualifications 60.6%number of rooms 77.5%

Use of laptops

Lightweight mini-laptop

Preloaded with relevant census data

All data encrypted

Microsoft Access application

Regular uploads to census HQ

Sample screenshot

Example 1: Same response

Example 2: Equivalent response

Example 3: Different response

Sample design

1000 householdsNot randomThree areas of different types:– Urban– Rural– Semi-rural/market town

Early census returns onlyResults still useful

Fieldwork design

3 teams of 7 interviewers (including manager)50 households eachAssistant interviewersInterview takes up to 1 hourHousehold and person questions

Lessons from rehearsal

Carry out as soon as possible after census day– Memory effect– Movers

Don’t ask about overnight visitorsUpload from home via broadbandSecurity features must be unobtrusive

Some results from the rehearsal

Self-contained accommodation 98.7%

Country of birth 99.5%

Number of rooms 66.0%

Nature of disability 75.6%

Summary

CQS gives measure of accuracy levels

Use of IT in field

1000 households in selected areas

Rehearsed in 2009