Terms of reference for the Technical Team SURVEY METHODOLOGY

  1. Background

The statistical community has globally recognized that producers of official statistics need to transform and modernize themselves to adequately respond to all data demands arising from SDG, Agenda 2063, national development plans and other agendas and frameworks. This transformation and modernization cover all areas of official statistics, including the institutional statistical environment, production processes, coordination and collaboration.

Several countries have undertaken steps on the institutional environment side, starting with the revision or amendment of their statistics legislation and regulations. Many efforts are put in the use of alternative and new data sources to fill existing data gaps, improve data quality and respond to new and emerging needs. Besides, technologies of information and communication are more present in statistical processes as illustrated by several initiatives on data sciences, big data, data campus, etc.

Pan African organizations and partners supporting statistics in the continent support different steps towards the modernization and transformation of official statistics in the continent. However, all their initiatives are done with limited coordination and minimum harmonization within and across countries. Besides, there are no standards yet established or a measurement defined to assess the degree of modernization of a statistical institution, for instance. Likewise, countries are at different levels of statistical development, with diverse priorities and needs that are not systematically taken into account in modernization projects proposed by statistics partners. Also, the lack of guidelines has, for instance, created confusions and problems in some countries after the revision of the statistics act. A framework was therefore needed to address these issues and to guide transformation and modernization of national statistical systems in Africa. The African group on modernization and transformation of official statistics was created by the Statistical Commission for Africa for this purpose during its seventh meeting in October 2020.

  1. Establishment of the Technical Teams

During the second meeting of the African Group on Transformation and Modernization of Official Statistics (AGTM) held virtually on 8th March 2021, the vision of the Group was developed to read as follows:

“Modernized statistical systems for a competitive and prosperous Africa”.

The meeting also approved the creation of three technical teams (TT) that will spearhead the work in the following thematic areas for transformation and modernization of official statistics. 

TT1: Digitalization and Integration of data science initiatives

TT2: Survey methodology

TT3: Coordination of the national statistical system and Statistical legislation (including Administrative data systems and other sources)

 

  1. TT2: Survey Methodology

The Technical Team is expected to evaluate and make recommendations on the various methods used to design and carry out surveys and the associated techniques of data collection. Specifically, the TT2 shall undertake the following activities;

  1. Take stock of the various survey methodologies that are in use in Africa
    1. Types and reliability of sampling frames
    2. Sampling techniques in use and countries’ adherence
    3. Quality controls  
  2. Identify strengths and shortcomings of the survey methodologies that are in use in the continent
    1. Explore how the strengths can be harnessed across the continent
    2. Explore how the weaknesses can be addressed in light of the African circumstances
  3. Identify best practices of survey methodologies in Africa with a view of replication in other African countries
  4. Identify elements that the continent can borrow from international best practices
  5. Make recommendations on survey methodologies to be considered by African countries as the continent seeks to improve on statistical production capacity
  6. Explore and make recommendation on enhancing use of technology in the various data collection methods
  7. Establish challenges related to financing of data collection and sustainability
  8. Given the scarcity of resources, identify cost effective (affordable) surveys to address serious data gaps as medium/long measures are instituted 
  9. Identify bottlenecks hindering implementation of surveys e.g. legal, terrain, infrastructure and propose how they should be addressed
  10. Propose ways of improving public approval to ensure wide appreciation of benefits of data collection
  11. Identify availability of data from alternative sources that can be used to compliment traditional data sources
  12. Identify various types of data collection modes (mail, web, telephone, face to face) vis-à-vis their suitability for different circumstances
  13. On the basis of the above, prepare the reference materials (manuals and guidelines) for enhancing use of appropriate survey methodologies in African countries

 

 

IV.      Timetable

The Technical Team will produce a progress report every one year to the African Group on Transformation and Modernization of official Statistics. In between, biannual progress reports will be submitted to the bureau of the African Group.

 

V.       Membership

The Technical Team is composed of persons who are experts in the subject matter from the national statistical offices. The Technical Team will be country led and to ensure geographical balance, each sub region of the Economic Commission for Africa will be represented by experts of at least two countries.

The members of the Technical Team will commit to devote the necessary time to discharge their duties. They will select the Chairperson among themselves. The Economic Commission for Africa ensures the secretariat of the Group.