Statistics SA to use digital methods for data collection
Data collection for quarter two of the quarterly labour force survey (QLFS) will, therefore, be done telephonically, using the computer assisted telephonic interview (CATI) methodology.
According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the lockdown and continuation of the spread of Covid-19 in the country resulted in the discontinuation of face-to-face data and has encouraged a move to online platforms.
Stats SA’s executive committee suspended the face-to-face data collection method last month as part of its measures to curb local coronavirus transmissions.
Data collection for quarter two of the quarterly labour force survey (QLFS) will now be done telephonically, using digital methods of computer assisted telephonic interviews (CATI).
Stats SA said the last two weeks of data collection for QLFS for quarter one of 2020 (January to March) was disrupted by discontinued fieldwork, and the report would be released on 9 June.
A delay in the start of data collection for the quarter two survey, due to the extension of the national lockdown, will result in a delay in the publication of the QLFS quarter two report and the rest of the reports.
Stats SA said the general household survey (GHS), domestic tourism survey (DTS), the governance, public safety and justice survey (GPSJS) and the income and expenditure survey (IES) will transition to a mixed mode of collection, which includes the use of face-to-face as well as computer aided telephonic interview (CATI) and computer aided web interview (CAWI) modes.
These surveys and their related publications will be delayed while Stats SA develops and tests the digital systems, taking the Covid-19 state into consideration.
Publication of monthly administrative series such as the tourism and migration series will also be delayed.
“As we transition to mixed-mode data collection we commit to always doing everything in line with the principles of official statistics to ensure that the data released are of good quality and can be used to inform the nation with the greatest possible level of confidence,” StatsSA said.
Stats SA’s Werner Ruch said the agency was also conducting a series of online qualitative surveys to measure the impact of the pandemic on the population.
“The first wave focused on health behaviour and perceptions, and the results of which will be released shortly.
“The questionnaire for the second wave, which focuses on socio-economic and labour market issues, as well as hunger and social relief, is now available.
“We would encourage the public to participate in the surveys. It will play a part in informing government’s response system to state’s issues,” Ruch said.
StatsSA said the responses are anonymous and no personal information will be recorded.
The survey can be completed using the following link:
https://uss.statssa.gov.za/WebInterview/SPZZQA2C/Start
Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news.
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
