Census is the most complex statistical survey. All statistical offices around the world conduct it. Usually, it is organized and performed every decade. The goal is to collect data on population, households and dwellings. There are traditional and administrative source-based Censuses. For the both types, at least for some parts of the territory, data are still obtained on traditional way. It can be done by using paper questionnaires, or by using IT application. So, we said OK, let’s create app which make our life easier: Electronic questionnaire…
And we did it.

All the enumerators will be provided with a laptop, on which IST will be installed. IST Census app is capable to work offline, but first, before going to the field and starting their work, enumerator will have to connect to internet and to transfer all data about enumerator areas and application updates. It is simple. In the next step the user goes online, enters already provided Username and Password (came along with laptop), selects option to download (get) data from the IST server, and that's it. IST application will actually do everything by itself. Finally, enumerator can start with data entry.

IST Census application doesn’t require internet connection for data entering. The enumerator can work in offline mode while enters data for the Census. The local database is installed on individual laptops, along with data entry and data control module. The enumerator just has to relax, to follow methodology and to enter gathered data. OK, not to be so relaxed… You know what we meant. Well, maybe to use more appropriate words for this – to carefully enters data and to follow the answers from the person which provides data.

What is the intention of all of this… What actually we wanted when we created IST electronic questionnaire for Census… Why we did not keep the paper questionnaire… It is easier, isn’t it… But, eventually, it isn’t… We have to think about data quality, too. And how to improve data collecting… By including logical control in IST application for Census data entry that will constantly checking the consistency of data during its entering. It is great help not only for enumerators, but for Census methodology department as well. So, we did, and it works great!

The main idea is that collected data on the field, have to be transferred on the central database. Therefore, some kind of data transfer between local database, that contains just collected data on the field, by performing CAPI in-person interview, and central database on the server, have to be established. In order to provide data synchronization, enumerator is obliged to at least on daily bases, connect to the internet and to send collected data to the central server. In the same time, IST will, if it is available, download and automatically install possible updates on the enumerator laptop. Then again, enumerator is fully prepared to continue with in-person interviewing. And that is it. Simple as that.

Very important part of IST application is reporting. This is especially vital to the methodology department. Data have to be followed on daily basis. Methodology department has to be provided with understandable reports which will have to be accessible on time. IST is fully capable to provide it. Methodology department defined their requests, and IST team created ones. Of course, it is ongoing work, since IST team tries to be step ahead, and to predict future requests that may come from methodology department. It is joint work, and quality of data is on the first place.

Monitoring… Methodology department, in every moment, has to know for how many households, dwellings and people data have been entered... Data have to be presented in a clear way and to be checked on daily basis… IST team is devoted to this and data collection monitoring, on all levels, has been implemented as a very important IST Census module…