1. Use of handheld electronic devices for census data collection
Department of Census & Statistics
Sri Lanka

2. Overview of the Presentation
Why we need to adopt for new technologies
Advantages of moving to hand held devices
Disadvantages / Challenges of using electronic devices
Experience in using hand held devices
Plan for 2021 census round

3. Why we need go for new technologies
To avoid Challenges with Paper-based Data Collection and Processing
(To provide Fast and high quality data than traditional paper based method )
To adopt with new technology revolution
Examples :
Census 2012 adopted image based form processing technology such as OMR/ICR through scanning the questionnaire
e-Census technology was introduced for the first time on experimental basis
GIS Mapping
To gain cost effectiveness

4. Advantages of moving to hand held devices
Improve the quality of data by automating the manual process
Efficient use of time – Manual error will be reduced
Range edits Consistency checks can be used
Skip patterns can be introduced
Real time synchronization facility
Use of GPS co-ordinates
Facilitates to use local languages for data collection
Well managed field supervision

5. Disadvantages /Challenges of using electronic devices / handheld devices
Connectivity problems
Some areas do not have Internet
Some areas have low signal
Data Synchronization issues
Geographical and Climate Conditions
Rain
Mountains
High cost for hardware
Need more expert knowledge for develop the SW
No past experience with using tablets for a Census

6. Experience in using handheld devices
Demographic and Health Survey CAPI System experimented for DHS In 2016 data entry and validation was done onsite for the first time in DCS history Labour Force Survey LFS conduct using CAPI System since 2017 Two Methods: Online Mode Offline Mode (When there is no internet connection) Agricultural and Household Survey / HIES Currently ongoing with the CAPI system

7. Plan for 2021 census round Still on the discussion stage
Should consider following
Hardware requirement
Staff requirement
Data Security
Data storage
Budget
Utilization plan

8. Tentative plan

10. Thank you…..