Theoretical and Practical Analysis about Census by Internet

1. Theoretical and Practical Analysis about Census by Internet Group of Experts on Population and Housing Censuses Geneva, 30th October 2009 Jorge L. Vega Valle Population Statistics Department National Statistics Institute (Spain)

2. Index 1- Introduction 2- Theoretical analysis 3- Practical analysis 4- Conclusions and future strategies

3. Index 1- Introduction 2- Theoretical analysis 3- Practical analysis 4- Conclusions and future strategies

4. 1-Introduction New technologies (mobile phones, laptops, Internet connection...) have belonged to people’s lifes for some years. Internet can be used for different purposes: sending an email, looking for information, reading newspapers, making bank transactions...

5. 1-Introduction • Census • Operation with historical tradition (1768) • Operation of great magnitude Spain in 2001 was pioneer in Census by Internet 1‰ response Precedent for 2011, very different situation

6. Index 1- Introduction 2- Theoretical analysis 3- Practical analysis 4- Conclusions and future strategies

7. Index 1- Introduction 2- Theoretical analysis 3- Practical analysis 4- Conclusions and future strategies

8. 2.1- Cost effectiveness CAWI (fixed costs) CATI-CAPI-Paper (fixed and variable costs) CAWI fixed costs not very high + % CAWI response appreciable Worthwhile CAWI Current economic global situation Minimize budget as much as possible

9. 2.2- Quality of information One of the most important advantages of CAWI Difficult to recognise characters Impossible values in some topics Questions not answered Questions answered (but they should not...) Inconsistencies among answers

10. 2.3- Push methods It has been demonstrated that the possibility of answering by different channels at the same time affects negatively to Web response percentage. To obtain a high % of Web responses: -Internet should be opened for users before other channels. -Write very carefully the letter sent to each dwelling -Reminder letters -If a dwelling prefers any other channel, give every chance.

11. 2.4- Other theoretical features • Dissemination of data much earlier • Design of the application (comprehensive, attractive, quick, robust...) • Security, confidentiality: Autentication with password (electronic signature), firewall, https • Synchronization of responses (central database) • Incompatibities among responses. Critical errors • Other errors that are not critical

12. Index 1- Introduction 2- Theoretical analysis 3- Practical analysis 4- Conclusions and future strategies

13. Index 1- Introduction 2- Thoretical analysis 3- Practical analysis 4- Conclusions and future strategies

14. 3.1- Internet use 2011 situation very different compared to 2001

15. 3.2- Form costs depending on channel • Experience of 2001 Census Development of Web application (including call centre) 2M Euros (2001 data)  3M aprox (2011 data) • Estimation of cost/form • Paper: 5 Euros • CATI: 12 Euros • CAPI: 25 Euros No doubts about cost-effectiveness of Census by Internet

16. 3.3- Pilot Census 2009

17. 3.3- Pilot Census 2009

18. Index 1- Introduction 2- Theoretical analysis 3- Practical analysis 4- Conclusions and future strategies

19. Index 1- Introduction 2- Theoretical analysis 3- Practical analysis 4- Conclusions and future strategies

20. 4- Some ideas... • Advertising campaign in classic media • Advertisement in Web pages • Advertising in social networks • Writing the letter that is sent to each dwelling very carefully • Bring Internet nearer to people

21. Questions, doubts, explanations... Contact information Jorge L. Vega Valle Population Statistics Department http://www.ine.es jorvegaval@ine.es