COLLECTION METHODS
The core labour force variables are collected in household surveys and the Census by using one of the three standard questionnaire modules (Labour Force Survey, Household Survey and Census of Population and Housing).
A number of collection methods are used to collect information using the three questionnaire modules. The most common method used in household surveys is computer assisted interview, although pen and paper questionnaires are used in the Census and in certain circumstances in other surveys. Where interviewers conduct the surveys, they can be conducted either face-to-face or over the telephone. Telephone interview is used extensively in the LFS (with the first month often being conducted face-to-face); whereas face-to-face interviewing is used extensively in other household surveys. On-line self-enumeration was introduced to the LFS from December 2012. The Census has been predominantly collected via self-enumeration, with the most recent two Censuses (2006 and 2011) having the option of on-line self-enumeration available.
In the LFS, and the Census, the Any Responsible Adult respondent methodology is predominantly used, whereby one adult in the household provides the answers to the questionnaires for all people in the household in-scope. Personal interviewing, where the subject of the questionnaire provides the responses (self-reporting), is generally used in other ABS household surveys, and the Multi-purpose Household Survey.
The following table shows the different questionnaire modules and the different collection methods generally used.
Questionnaire module | Collection methods |
|
|
 | Interviewer-administered/
Self-enumeration | Face-to-face/
Telephone interview | Respondent
Type |
| |
Labour Force Survey Questionnaire
Module
| Computer-assisted interviewing and
on-line self-enumeration | Predominantly telephone interview
(first month often face-to-face) | Any responsible adult
methodology |
Household Survey Questionnaire
Module
| Computer-assisted interviewing | Face-to-face | Personal interview -
self-reporting |
Census of Population and Housing
Questionnaire Module
| Self-enumeration - either pen and paper
or on-line | n.a. (self-enumeration) | Any responsible adult
methodology |
|
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