Strategies to Manage Cost

1. The Census Experiencein Canada Strategies to Manage Cost Connie Graziadei, Assistant Chief Statistician November, 2012

2. Canada’s Census Experience • In 1871, the first Census of Population was conducted for the new country of Canada, with enumerators visiting every household. • Until 1971, comprehensive data was collected from all households. • Starting in 1971, a“short form” Census was distributed to approximately 67 percent of households and contained selected questions. Others received a “long form” with all questions. • In 1981, sample size for the long form was decreased to 20 percent. • In 2011, the mandatory Census questionnaire was limited to questions previously found on the “short form” and a voluntary National Household Survey (NHS) replaced the mandatory long form questionnaire. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

3. Recent Census Experience • Focus on cost reduction: • Reduce the need for field enumerators (the most expensive portion of the Canadian Census) • Use of self-enumeration approaches • Centralized mail-out • Introduction of an Internet response application in 2006 – reduce printing and processing of paper questionnaires. • Use of technology in data processing (scanning, intelligent character recognition, automated coding, etc.) • Disseminate results on the Internet (no paper publications). Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

4. Internet Response in 2006 • Respondents were given the option to complete their questionnaires using the Internet, via access codes provided on printed questionnaires. • Approach piloted with 40,000 dwellings during 2001 census. • Limited functionality - duplicated the paper questionnaire. • Issues with accessibility for visually impaired people. • 18 percent Internet response rate - started to reduce reliance on paper and traditional mail service. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

5. Centralized Mail-Out in 2006 • Mail-out operation consolidated from regional offices to a centralized operation. • Resulted in reduced costs and simplified logistics. • Mail-out increased to 73% of dwellings. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

6. Data Processing • Scanned images simplify logistics and reduce costs associated with physical paper inventories, including archival costs. • Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) avoids manual keying effort. • 97 percent of all check boxes can be accurately captured • 50 to 80 percent of other character types can be accurately captured • High automated coding rates yielding significant savings in operator costs. • Iterative approach with updates to code files as coding progresses Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

7. Dissemination • Print and CD-ROM products have been discontinued in favour of the Internet. • Standard products are available for free. • Infrastructure to sell, package and distribute products is no longer required. • Reduced reliance on paper. • Micro-data files provided to Research Data Centres minimizes requests for custom products. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

8. 2011 Census Experience • Continued focus on cost reduction: • Wave methodology - multiple contact approaches to promote Internet response, significantly reducing reliance on paper questionnaires and traditional mail service for return of complete forms • Response rate management – optimize the use of the field workforce to maximize the national response rate and efficiently produce highly uniform response rates at the sub-national level Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

9. Wave Methodology in 2011 • Mail-out to 79 percent of private dwellings, 75 percent of them only receiving a letter with an Internet access code: • Included instructions for obtaining a paper questionnaire. • Letter and subsequent follow-ups boosted the return rate, using the Internet, to nearly 54 percent, from 18 percent in 2006. • Internet application accessibility issues resolved. • Canadian citizens have spoken – the Internet has now become the primary response option for our Census Program. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

10. Response Rate Management in 2011 • As the desired response level increases: • Fixed infrastructure costs climb (field operations lasts longer) • Variable costs increase (direct enumeration cost) • More difficult cases remain • In 2011, a tolerance management plan was introduced to: • Achieve a high national response rate • Efficiently produce a highly uniform response rate sub-nationally • Control availability of work based on pre-defined triggers and a tiered approach (via the Field Management System) Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

11. Response Rate Management in 2011 • Four tiers – implemented at Local Census Office level (37 in total) • Tier 1 – when response target reached, a signal is automatically sent to the field to stop all collection activities • Tier 2 – stop collection in very small collection units or in collection units that had very little impact on data quality • Tier 3 – collection activities ceased when the response rate equalled 2006 results and met a minimal quality threshold • Tier 4 – strategic case by case review • Achieved a 98.1% collection response rate and increased uniformity of response rates, while completing collection on time. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada

12. Connie Graziadei (613) 951-7081 Connie.Graziadei@statcan.gc.ca Contact Information Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada