Secure digital data collection in household surveys - Case study: Statistics South Africa

Abstract

Digital Data Collection in South Africa is continuously evolving as technology and infrastructural networks gain momentum with respect to its development. In-field data collection is critical for any national government department who is mandated to supply the country and the international community with official data. The paper aims to illustrate the methods used by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) in collecting household data using a digital collection process. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) and Dwelling Frame Project's are the primary focus areas of implementation. The paper further focuses on the background to the technology, its usage, problems encountered, lessons learnt, software/ questionnaire development, and more importantly the security issues around the collection of the data. © 2011 IEEE.