1. Introduction to measuring the response burden
Overview
Introduction to measuring the response burden
Establishing a baseline measurement
Data collection in Armenia

2. Design and data quality
Poor questionnaires
Misunderstandings
BURDEN ON BUSINESSES
Irritation and reluctance
POOR
DATA QUALITY
Poor motivation
A rush job

3. Phase 0 to 5
The guideance in reduction of response burden can be divided into 6 steps
Phase 0
Selection and organisation
Phase 1
Identification of burdens
Phase 2
Examination of solutions
Phase 3
Evualtion of concequenses
Phase 4
Conclusions and reporting
Phase 5
Implemen-tation

4. Selection and organisation
Phase 0
starts when it is decided to reduce burdens
in phase 0, relevant areas for burden reduction are chosen, and the organisation is decided

5. Identification of burdens
Phase 1
comprises the identification of actual burdens
the aim is to identify burdens occurred from existing rules

6. Examination of solutions
Phase 2
is the phase where different solutions are revealed
different approaches to reduce the burdens are considered

7. Evualtion of concequenses
Phase 3
starts when possible solution are found
positive and negative consequences are discussed

8. Conclusions and reporting
Phase 4
is the conclusion phase, where results are given in reports to the decision- makers
some reductions can be carried out as administrative reductions, while others require political decisions

9. Implementation
Phase 5
comprises the implementation of reduction initiatives
changes must be communicated both to the relevant enterprises and to other relevant parties

10. Response Burden Concepts
Objective vs. subjective
Dependent on the respondent’s idea of the usefulness of the statistics
Maximal vs. minimal concept of burden
Minimal – filling out the form
Maximal – all acts involved: reading instructions, gathering data, follow-up calls

11. The burden depends on: Response burden Sample size
Mandatory or voluntary
Reporting media
Information prior to the interview
Questionnaire design
Reminder procedure
Error checking routines
Legislation

12. Measuring the response burden
Measuring depends on
time used to fill in the questionnaire
enterprise size (number of employees)
kind of activity
Interview should reveal:
working routines
difficult and complex areas
A measure should be calculated for all surveys

13. Model (Base measurement)
Measuring - formula
Model (Base measurement)
Minutes used x
Frequency x
Number of yearly reports =
Yearly burden in minutes x
One man hour price =
Administrative burden

14. Ten “golden rules” regarding official forms
Limit to a manageable amount of relevant questions
Make forms understandable
Specify the level of detail required
Ask information which enterprises will have available
Show the usefulness for the enterprises
Show the usefulness for society (not just the NSSRA)
Coordinate with other official data
Use pleasant language and attractive design
Give sensible deadlines for reply
Give a reasonable advance notice