Innovations in Official Statistics : Data Collection & Dissemination SINGAPORE

1. UNSD SEMINAR ON INNOVATIONS IN OFFICIAL STATISTICS UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK 20 FEBRUARY 2009 Innovations in Official Statistics : Data Collection & Dissemination SINGAPORE

2. Innovations in Data Collection • Use of Alternative Sources : Administrative Data • Data Collection Strategy • Tri-Modal Data Collection • Staggered Workflow for Increased Efficiency • Integrative Survey Processes

3. Optimisation of Administrative Data for Statistical Purposes • Use of administrative sources helps to reduce respondent burden • Complement survey data, for the compilation of more timely and detailed statistics

4. Use of Administrative Datafor Statistical Purposesin Statistics Singapore • Direct tabulation • Used as proxies in estimation • Construction and updating of survey frames • Evaluation of surveys • Replacement of data collection • Editing and imputation of data

5. Use of Admin Data in Population Statistics Singapore’s Register-Based Census Basic information on entire population from admin registers Information collated from entire population Additional details from sample survey of the population

6. Use of Admin Datain Business Statistics • Business Register - Updated at regular intervals with administrative sources Examples : - Tax information from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore - Registration information from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority • Usage Examples : - Determinants of active establishments - Industry classification - Survey frame - Imputation for non-response cases - Compilation of new indicators : small and medium establishments and start-ups

7. Managing Issues Arising fromUse of Administrative Data Matching of Data • Matching will be relatively easy if there is common identification number Examples : - Every resident in Singapore has a personal identification number - Every foreigner staying or working in Singapore needs to hold a pass with a unique foreigner identification number (UFN) - From 1 January 2009, all entities registered in Singapore, such as businesses, companies, societies, and representative offices have a unique entity number (UEN)

8. Internet Telephone Interview Face-to-Face Interview Tri-Modal Data Collection For Population Census

9. Links to key information placed for easy access Automated branching of questions directed respondents to questions relevant to themselves Left-hand panel and bottom buttons placed consistently to facilitate use Internet Enumeration

10. Phone features Appointment function Left hand links for quick access Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing

11. Adopting Technology for Field Collection Use of Personal Digital Assistants Improved flow of face-to-face interviews - Automated branching of questions - Completeness checks Simplified fieldwork operations - PDA more portable than voluminous hardcopy forms Reduced back-end data processing - Reduced data entry - Checks performed during interview Data Security - Encrypted data - Authorised access

12. Adopting Technology for Field Collection Use of Mobile Text Messages in Field Operations Automated system of SMS alerts Minimize incidents of interviewers visiting households who completed survey

13. Staggered Workflow for Increased Efficiency

14. More efficient and effective business processes Increase Standardisation Harness technology Optimise use of administrative data Improve Response Management Improve Methodologies Integrated Business Survey System (IBSS) Desired outcome: Improve the quality, relevance and timeliness of Business Statistics

15. Integrated Business Survey System (IBSS) Disparate Processes and Systems for Difference Surveys Previously  • Generic end-to-end system for business surveys • More seamless integration between data collection and data processing processes • Consistency in procedures, methods, systems across surveys • Facilitates cross-checking of data from different surveys to achieve data consistency • Facilitates response management across surveys for better client management Integrated Business Survey System (IBSS) Now

16. New Commercial Establishment Information System (CEIS) • Extensive use of administrative data for more timely and efficient updating of business register • Track new firms which have commenced operation • Update more up-to-date status of existing firms Previously Now • More detailed smaller scale survey, covering 1,500 new firms with ‘active’ status and emp >10 • 30,000 new firms to cover every year in survey to determine status and size of companies 

17. Integrated Business Survey System: Improving Sampling Efficiency Previously Now Size strata = 2 • “Take-all” : 1 Group • “Take-some” : 1 Group Size strata = 3 • “Take-all” : 1 Group • “Take-some” : 2 Groups • Reduction in sample size • Reduction in design Coefficient of Variation (CV)

18. IBSS : Multi-Modal Data Collection • Hard copy through mail • On-line Internet submission Security Measure: Adopt Govt’s E-Service Authorisation System (EASY) and Singapore Personal Access (SingPass) for authorisation & authentication Data Quality Measures: • On-line validation checks • Succcesful uploading only if data pass validation

19. ResponseRate Response4Q 2007 Response4Q 2008 Number of Days after initial Mail Out IBSS: Improving Response Management • Periodic response charts • Comparison of responses across different periods, industries and editors • Priority list of outstanding cases given to editors • Effective in raising response rate and operational efficiency

20. IBSS : Improving Data Processing Standard methods adopted in automated data editing and imputation for non-response cases Leverage on established statistical software  Improved data quality and timeliness

21. Innovation in Data Dissemination Extend Outreach to users : • Multiple Channels of Dissemination • Portable Data • More Interesting Presentation - Visualisation Technique

22. SingStat Website Personalised Service STS Online System Latest data & key indicators/findings Media releases Papers & Analyses Responds to public enquiries Provides customised statistical tables Over 7,000 time series Seasonally adjusted data for key indicators Local & Overseas Users Researchers & Analysts Local & Overseas Users SingStat Express (Email) Publications/ Statistical Tables Key indicators Alert to press releases/ papers Cover wide range of domains in economic, business, population, income & expenditure statistics Free online access Limited hardcopy titles for sale Local & Overseas Users Who Wish to be Alerted to Latest Releases Data on SMS Key indicators Sends latest statistics requested for via SMS Local & Overseas Users Local Users Who Are on the Move   Multi-Channels for Dissemination of Statistics/ Publications      SingStat Express (SMS) Key indicators Alert to press releases/papers Local Users Who Are on the Move

23. Innovation in Data Dissemination SingStat Website Adopts a portal concept Provides single-point access to key official statistics released by various government agencies under decentralized statistical system

24. Innovation in Data Dissemination SingStat Time Series Online System Single platform to access social and economic time series 19 subject themes with >7,000 time series

25. Innovation in Data Dissemination Using Data Push Techniques To deliver news highlights/latest data/hyperlinks Via Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Email/Text Messaging Alert Services

26. Innovation in Data Dissemination Using Data Pull Techiques To facilitate user self-help Via Facility on SingStat website to download data to Palm OS devices Text messaging service to request and receive data

27. Innovation in Data Dissemination Using Data Visualization Technique to Present Data

28. Innovation in Data Collection and Dissemination Harness IT Advancement and Re-engineered Processes to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness to better serve users

29. Thank You