1. Global Assessment on Tendency Surveys
United Nations Statistics Division
Paul Hanna
17-19 November 2011
Moscow, Russia

2. Background
Assessment collected information on tendency surveys conducted by organizations around the world
The survey was sent to 294 organizations in 212 countries
67 responses received
From organizations that completed at least 25 questions
36 NSOs
33 Eurostat organizations (13 NSOs)
Response rate: 23%
One and a half months to respond

3. Background 41 4 11 4 3 4

4. Overview
5 major economic sectors were surveyed w/ detailed questions

5. Overview
Most surveys conducted by NSOs

6. Overview 5 sections of the questionnaire
Institutional environment and management
Registers and frames
Surveys
Data integration
Dissemination

7. Institutional Environment and Management
30%-60% of surveys are compulsory (consumer-retail)
Quality assurance frameworks are designed primarily considering sample size
More than 80% of organizations collect their own data

8. Registers and Frames Frame sources: primarily statistical office
81%-90% Government sources
Except consumer: 62%
All units in frame: about 2/3 of organizations include all units
Exceptions are size category
Frame updates: Most within 2 years, more than 90% w/in 5 years

9. Surveys - sample
Sample selection

10. Surveys - sample Sample size vs. Frame size
The largest outlier is Australian industry survey.

11. Surveys – response rate
Desired response rate: 80-90% on average
Consumer follow ups are only 67%

12. Surveys – response rate
Desired response rate: 80-90% on average
Follow ups are done by most organizations (usually by phone or )
Follow ups are effective
Initial response <50%: 30% improvement
Initial response >50%: 10% improvement
Except for consumer: 11% and 4% resp.
Consumer follow ups are only 67%

13. Surveys – non-response
Unit and item non-response: adjustments are made about 60% of the time (40-50% for consumer)
Usually by sample weight adj or imputation
Many imputation techniques used

14. Surveys – non-response

15. Surveys – questions Number of questions used
Conversion of multiple choice into time series:
82%-96% use balance (P-N) for both 3&5 question surveys

16. Surveys – source questions & confidence indicators
Industry

17. Surveys
Construction

18. Surveys
Consumer

19. Surveys
Services

20. Surveys
Retail

21. Data integration
Most organizations simply take an average/weighted average of the survey results.
No adjustments are made before or after averaging.
Adjustment made are primarily seasonality and standardization

22. Dissemination Data is disseminated via: Paper publication Internet
Public releases are punctual
Response rates are released about 60% of the time (45% for consumer)
Data disseminated through paper and electronic formats. Release calendars almost always exist. Releases are almost always punctual. Statistics are available to all users simultaneously. Confidentiality is ensured by aggregation.

23. Thank you