SISS 2013

<b>Technology used in the survey </b>

As mentioned earlier, the Social Indicator Sample Survey used Tablet PC for data collection, which has advantages of quick data processing and transfer etc. Using the environmentally friendly technology for the data collection offered many advantages such as sending the data collected from the primary sampling units immediately to the central network, ensuring information quality and safety and saving time, man force and cost. The data collected by the interviewers from the primary sampling units were aggregated at the supervisor’s level and after required clarification and editing, the data sent to the central network of the NSO. The data received by the central network were monitored and additional clarifications were obtained from the primary sampling units through the supervisor.

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Figure SM.1. Field operation
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<b>Survey planning and management </b>

General management and preparation work of the Social Indicator Sample Survey was commenced in 2012(See Figure SM.2). The UNFPA and UNICEF agreed to integrate the CDS and RHS combining with the DHS and was supported by the NSO. According to amendments to the Law on Statistics on 3 July 2013, legal basis to conduct the Social Indicator Sample Survey was established. As of mid 2012, the survey sample size and methodology were finalized.

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Figure SM.2. Social Indicator Sample Survey planning and management
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The development and testing of questionnaires were carried out during June-August 2013. The training for field work was held in September. The data collection was carried out in last quarter of 2013 and data processing, tabulation and dissemination of preliminary results were completed in the beginning of June 2014.

<b>Pretesting </b>

2 types of testing were carried out in order to ensure successful preparation and conduct of the survey. Utilization of the tablet PCs for the first time for the data collection required to determine many new matters such as technological operating principle, data transmission and ensuring safety. Therefore, traditional paper questionnaire testing as well as tablet PCs or new technology testing were carried out. For the purpose of assessing population registration of bags or khoroos, determining logical sequence of the survey questionnaires content and indicators and clarity to respondents, reviewing and finalizing the training topic, content and data collection management and the survey budget, the paper questionnaires testing was carried out in June 2013 among total 4 units including 2 bags of Erdenebulgan and Tsenkher soums of Arkhangai aimag and 2 units in 14th and 22nd khoroos of Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar. The testing revealed that household and population registration of primary administrative unit in rural area are comparably good and not good in Ulaanbaatar. Therefore, it is decided to request updated household list for the PSUs selected from the capital city and to use the updated list in the survey. Moreover, the questionnaires content, model and indicators included were finalized.
As mentioned earlier, the table PCs testing was carried out among total 3 units in August 2013, including 1 bag of Mungunmorit soum of Tuv aimag and 2 units in 21st and 22nd khoroos, Songinokhairkhan District, Ulaanbaatar with the purpose of using tablet PCs in the data collection, testing electric questionnaire software program, finalizing algorithm to ensure accuracy and reality of the data collected, sending the data collected to the central network, defining primary level team management and job description and accordingly, calculating work days and expenses. Under the testing, technological issues for instance, electric questionnaire software program, data transmission to the central network, utilization of tablet PCs, operating procedure, data collection team management and members’ job description were defined. For the traditional paper questionnaire data collection, team comprised of 7 people including a team leader, supervisor, and 5 interviewers collected the data. For the table PCs data collection, team comprising of 6 people collected the data. The supervisor’s duty was programmed. It is organized to have data collection team work in the primary sampling units and send the data immediately to the central network using internet connection.

<b>Training and fieldwork </b>

Training for the fieldwork personnel was conducted in 4-25 September including a total of 170 trainees. The training included lectures on interviewing techniques and the contents of the questionnairesand mock interviews between trainees to gain practice in asking questions using both paper questionnaires and tablet PC. During the training period, trainees spent 2 days in practice interviewingusing paper questionnaire in Sukhbaatar districts, and 2 days in practice interviewing using tablet in Songinokhairkhan district, Ulaanbaatar. About 140 participants were selected through a test. Training and involvement of officials of the statistical divisions or departments of aimags and the capital city as a supervisor had considerably positive influence on primary level team management.
The data were collected by 20 teams; each was comprised of a supervisor, 5 interviewers(2 men assigned as main measurer), and two drivers. The fieldwork started on 30 September 2013 in Ulaanbaatar and on 6 October in rural area. The last team worked in 18th khoroo, Chingeltei District and completed the data collection by 28 December 2013. The data were sent to the central network through internet connection. Monitoring, assessment and timely clarification of the data entered on the central network during the data collection helped improve the quality of data.