1. Use of the internet response for censuses of the 2010 round in the UNECE region Paolo Valente United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Statistical Division International Seminar on Population and Housing Censuses: Beyond the 2010 Round Seoul, Republic of Korea, 27-29 November 2012

2. Content: 1.Why offering the internet response 2.Pioneer countries: experiences in 2000-2006 3.Internet response in 2010 round in UNECE region 4.Experiences in selected UNECE countries 5.Benefits (preliminary information)

3. 1. Why offering the internet response? Main drivers: To maintain/increase census participation (coverage) To improve data quality To respond to expectations and demand by the public To comply with « e-government » policies To respond to environmental concern: less paper and transport of forms/enumerators To reduce costs in the long-term  No cost reduction in short and medium term

4. 2. Pioneer countries: Experiences and take up rates in 2000-2006 (table prepared in 2008) Country2000-012005-62010-11 (plans) CanadaSmall test18%Increase to 35-40% New Zealand--7% (low pub) Increase to 20-30% Australia--9%Increase take up Rep. of Korea--1% (low pub) Increase take up Singapore T.u. unknown n.a.Increase take up England Wales--n.a.Estimated 20% Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Estonia, Poland… Under evaluation SpainLow take upn.a.? Switzerland4.2%n.a.No (register-based) United States--7.2% (test)Not offered

5. 3. Internet response in 2010 round in UNECE region Context: Diversification of census methodologies - various forms of «combined census» based on data from registers and field data collection Frequent adoption of multiple enumeration methods  Internet response adopted in many UNECE countries as optional method, as part of: - traditional census - combined census (registers + field data collection)

6. 3. Internet response in 2010 round in UNECE region Traditional census: Internet response offered in 7 countries (out of 31) - Common in countries using also self-enumeration with paper questionnaire (6 countries out of 11) -Canada -Hungary -Luxembourg -Portugal -Slovakia -United Kingdom - Rare in countries using also face-to-face interviews (1 out of 20) -Bulgaria

7. 3. Internet response in 2010 round in UNECE region Combined census (registers + field data collection): Internet response offered in 10 countries (out of 12) -Czech Republic -Estonia -Germany -Italy -Latvia -Liechtenstein -Lithuania -Poland -Spain -Switzerland

8. 4. Experiences of UNECE countries (1/2) CountryStrategyTake up rate Estonia Internet response used as main enumeration method 1)Internet census (one month) 2)Enumeration with paper forms 66% (target: 25%) Canada Wave methodology, with internet as preferred mode: -Wave 1, gr. 1 (75%): Letters with internet access code -Wave 1, gr. 2 (25%): Questionnaire and codes mailed -Waves 2-4: mail, telephone, face-to-face reminders 54% (target: 40%) Portugal Both paper forms and internet ID codes distributed 1)Internet data collection (one week) 2)Internet + paper-based collection (2 weeks) 3)Only paper-based collection 50% Lithuania Priority give to internet census 1)Internet census (two weeks) 2)Enumerators visit and interview non-respondents 34%

9. 4. Experiences of UNECE countries (2/2) CountryStrategyTake up rate Italy Paper questionnaires and internet access codes mailed Return possible in different forms, including: internet, enumerators, post offices and census collection centres 33% (in pilot 9%) Latvia - Internet census planned for 10 deys, extended by 2 days - Field data collection with paper questionnaires - Additional opportunity for internet response, for 10 days 30% Czech Republic Paper questionnaires and internet codes distributed Returns by internet or on paper possible (4 weeks) 27% United Kingdom Paper questionnaires and internet codes distributed Returns by internet or on paper possible Internet not specifically encouraged Main objective was maximizing overall response 15% (target 25%)

10. 5. Benefits of internet response (preliminary reports) Canada, UK: Better data quality Lower item non response  Thanks to use of filters, controls, warnings UK: Foreign-born respondents more likely to use internet response  Possibility to translate questions online  Better quality of responses

11. Internet response in 2010 round in UNECE region More information expected from forthcoming UNECE online survey on national practices in 2010 round: -Take up rates -Strategy for internet and paper returns -Methods used to distribute internet access codes -Data control features used -Methods used to ensure data security/privacy -Strategies used to cope with peak demands