Improving Survey Quality using Para Data: Lessons from the India Working Survey

Goel, Deepti and Abraham, Rosa and Lahoti, Rahul (2021) Improving Survey Quality using Para Data: Lessons from the India Working Survey. Working Paper. Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.

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Abstract

The efficacy of survey-based policy recommendations is primarily dictated by the quality of data collected in the first place. Is the survey truly representative of the population it claims to characterise? Are respondents voicing their true opinions or are they playing to the gallery? Did enumerator bias creep into the data? These are questions that most users of surveys have, but are typically brushed aside in the race to get the analyses out. While there are no foolproof measures to ensure that survey data are authentic, certain steps can be taken to improve their dependability. One such is the use of what is called ‘para data’ (data about the process of data collection), to streamline enumerator practices, and thereby improve the reliability of the data being collected. This report details our experience of using para data to improve the quality of the India Working Survey (IWS).

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Authors:	Goel, Deepti and Abraham, Rosa and Lahoti, Rahul
Document Language:	Language English
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Improving Survey Quality using Para Data: Lessons from the India Working Survey
Subjects:	Social sciences > Economics
Divisions:	Azim Premji University > Research Centre > Centre for Sustainable Employment
Full Text Status:	Public
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/4313
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