OWING to the lockdown and progression of the Covid-19 pandemic, Statistics South Africa’s executive committee has taken a decision to suspend face-to-face data collection until after the lockdown is lifted.
Data collection for the second quarter of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) will therefore be done telephonically, using the computer assisted telephonic interview methodology. The delay in the start of data collection will result in a delay in the publication of the QLFS Quarter 2 report.
The last two weeks of data collection for the QLFS for quarter one of 2020 (January to March) was disrupted due to discontinued fieldwork.
The methodology used to compensate for the disruption will form part of the QLFS Quarter 1 of 2020 report, the release of which has been postponed to June 9.
The General Household Survey, Domestic Tourism Survey, the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey and the Income and Expenditure Survey will transition to a mixed mode of collection, which includes the use of face-to-face, as well as computer aided telephonic interview (CATI) and computer aided web interview (CAWI) modes.
Consequently, these surveys and their related publications will be delayed while Stats SA develops and tests CATI and CAWI systems.
Publication of monthly administrative series, such as the tourism and migration series, will be delayed.
“As we transition to mixed-mode data collection, we commit to always doing everything in line with the principles of official statistics to ensure that data released are of good quality and can be used to inform the nation with the greatest possible level of confidence,” a recent statement read.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Stats SA is conducting a series on online qualitative surveys to gauge the impact of the pandemic on the population.
The first wave focused on health behaviour and perceptions, the results of which will be released shortly.
The questionnaire for the second wave, which focuses on socio-economic and labour market issues, as well as hunger and social relief, is now available. This information will be used by government to better understand the impact of the pandemic, and to devise interventions to assist the population.
Responses are anonymous and no personal information will be recorded. The survey can be completed online atwww.uss.statssa.gov.za/WebInterview/SPZZQA2C/Start.
