1. USE OF HANDHELD DEVICES FOR CENSUS DATA COLLECTION IN INDIA
ABHISHEK JAIN, IAS,
Director Census Operations & Citizen Registration,
Punjab, Chandigarh, HP (INDIA)
United Nations Regional Workshop on the 2020 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses
Colombo, Sri Lanka
8-11 May 2018

2. Census 2011 - INDIA Provinces/States - 35 Districts - 640
Sub-districts - 5,924
Towns/Cities - 7,933
Villages - 640,930
Enumeration Areas (In million)
Households (in million) – 249
Population (in million) – 1,211
Enumerators & Supervisors (in million) – 2.7
Ethnic groups - 4,635
Mother tongues – 6,661

3. Technology Options Technology for Data collection Data processing
Till now: Face to face canvasser method, Paper questionnaire
Technology for
Data collection
Data processing
Image courtesy: Internet

4. Source: Meryem Demirci (2017), 48th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, Lunchtime Seminar on the 2020 Round of Population and Housing Censuses, New York, 7 March.

5. Some Surveys in India using CAPI
National Family Health Survey ( ): Sample size 600,000 households.
Longitudinal Ageing Study in India: Sample size 60250
Periodic Labor Force Survey
Socio-Economic and Caste Census

6. Learnings from Socio-Economic & Caste Census (SECC) 2011-14
Data Collection through Handheld Devices across India
Time vs. Resources – Trade off
640,000 devices for 2.7 million EAs
Took four years for completion
Two persons per device
Enumerator
Device operator
Power backup issue in rural areas
Reusability of the devices after operation

7. Consideration for use of Technology in Data Collection
Time lag in dissemination decreases the usefulness of Census data.
Final method to be chosen on timeliness, cost-efficiency, accuracy.
Collection of data through Hand Held Devices is an obvious solution for improving the efficacy
Data entered in the on-line Hand Held Devices can be stored to the online server simultaneously

8. Advantages of Electronic Data Collection
Database will be prepared just after the completion of field work
Faster processing of data
Customized tables
Can eliminate the time, cost and manpower needed to scan the schedules
Savings in transportation and storage of schedules
Improved field management and real time monitoring of enumeration activities
Easier handling of hand held device(vs paper )
Improved data quality through built in consistency checks and logical validation
On-screen help can be provided to the Enumerators
Better identification of the units – through GPS facility and maps

9. Disadvantages of Data Collection through Hand Held Devices
Difficulty in remote areas and many rural areas due to non-availability of internet facility
More dependency on technology providers
Large investment (high equipment cost with limited period usage)
Skilled and thoroughly trained Enumerators are required throughout the country
Availability of electricity facility in rural areas to recharge the device
Online security threat to the data stored in the devices
Vulnerability to cyber attack
Loss of data due to faulty device
Unauthorized use of the device

10. Major Challenges in Electronic Data Collection
Human Resource related challenges
Technology related challenges: hardware, software, backup support, maintenance etc.
One time usage of devices
Enumeration in 20 days (9-28th Feb 2011)
Enumerating all Houseless population in one single days (on 28th Feb)
Re-visit to count addition/deletion in 5 days
Questionnaire filled in 16 languages

11. Percentage of countries by obstacles faced in the use of new technologies during the 2010 census round (%) 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
Financial resources
Staff resources/expe rtise
Process reengineering/i nfrastructure
Total Africa
Asia
Europe Ocenia North South
America America
Source: Meryem Demirci (2017), 48th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, Lunchtime Seminar on the 2020 Round of Population and Housing Censuses, New York, 7 March.

12. Prerequisites for Data Collection through Hand Held Devices
Designing and developing a simple, user-friendly but powerful interface for enumerators with the following features:
Questionnaire navigation
Automated routing
Pre-coding
Quality Control
Support and documentation
Easy data transfer and export
Better data security
Encryption of stored data
Back-up system to prevent data loss
Proper field testing of the software before census - PILOT

13. Prerequisites for Census Data Collection through Hand Held Devices
Specification/Features of Handheld device
Portability: weight, size, ease of use and transport
Battery Life: Should have sufficient battery back-up to perform one full day field work without recharging.
Proper screen size and resolution
Hardware specification: Faster processor and sufficient RAM
Data Storage and backup: Sufficient internal memory. External devices may also be provided for back up of data
Inbuilt features like GPS, voice recorder etc.

14. Measures to secure data
Authentication
Encryption of stored data
Devise use policy
Use of MDM (mobile device management) technologies
Development of security policies

15. Conclusion
Data collection using electronic devices is a desirable option as it is a global plan for modernization of census and statistical systems.
However, the situation varies from country to country.
Still pros outweigh cons.
It can be used partially – eg for Houselisting only, or only for urban areas.
Early planning and thorough preparation is required.
Strong management skills and abilities are required to anticipate challenges and ways to solve problems.
Good IT hardware and software, effective training programs, motivated enumerators etc. are prerequisites.
Various challenges, but challenges to be converted into opportunities.

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