The costs of compliance are kept to an acceptable level and data is collected only when the expected benefits of a statistical survey exceed the imposition on providers.
The production of quality statistics is dependent on the cooperation and goodwill of the data supplier. While some respondents may welcome the opportunity to participate in surveys and accept the importance of providing data to support sound decision making, others may perceive surveys as an imposition – especially if they find it difficult to provide the required data. Special consideration needs to be given to groups that are often subjects for study, for example Māori or Pacific peoples, who are repeatedly targeted in social surveys, and business respondents who often have to meet other governmental demands for information.
Key elements of this principle
- The need to collect data is assessed – for the value of the data to inform decision making against the costs of production and the load placed on respondents.
- Existing data sources, including administrative data, are assessed for their ability to provide all or part of the required information before undertaking new collections.
- The ‘best-supplier’ principle is applied – that is, always collect data from the most appropriate source after considering respondent load.
- To enable respondents to understand their obligations to supply information, the need for the survey is clearly presented to them. Staff who contact respondents can readily explain the objectives of the survey and the statutory obligations on the information provider.
- A continuous effort is made to develop techniques that reduce the burden on information providers.
- A variety of respondent-friendly collection methods, including electronic modes, are available.
- All new or substantially revised surveys with a sample size of more than 2,500 are managed through consultation with the Government Statistician. The consultation covers:
- ways to minimise overlap of the people being surveyed
- the elimination of any duplication with existing data sources
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the collection of data through the survey for other departments (and vice versa).
- Summary respondent-load information for Statistics NZ’s surveys is included in the department’s annual report to Parliament.
Back to OSS principles for Tier 1 statistics producers.