Statistical Clearing House

Agricultural Finance Survey, Financial Year 1997/1998

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• Overview
• Quality Framework
• A. General Information
• B. User Requirements, Survey Objectives and Budget
• C. Alternative Sources of Data
• D. Data Outputs
• E. Questionnaire Design and Data Collection *** You are here ***
• E1 How questions will be used
  
• E2 Data collection methods
  
• E3 Respondent choices
  
• E4 Questionnaire testing
  
• E5 Consultation with businesses
  
• E6 Training of staff
• F. Respondent Load
• G. Population / Frame
• H. Sample Design
• I. Estimation and Analysis

E. Questionnaire Design and Data Collection

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E1 How questions will be used

Are there any questions not used directly in the principal data outputs specified in Part D, "Data outputs"? If yes, how are these questions used? (E1)

Examples include:
comments on the form; and
time taken to fill it out.
These questions help monitor form design and respondent burden.

Q1 to 13 are used in relation to scope/coverage/sample frame maintenance procedures.

Some questions, for example Q68 and 69, were asked separately and published together at the request of National Accounts.

Other questions, such as Q23 - 25, are asked separately because we use different rates to estimate indirect marketing expenses when respondents don't supply them.

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E2 Data collection methods

What is (are) the method(s) of collecting the data (eg self-completion, telephone interviewing, face to face interviewing, etc)? Why was it (were they) chosen? (E2)
Note. If more than one method will be used, the agency should indicate the extent to which it expects each method to be used, eg 5% of responses by fax and the remaining responses by phone.

Collection methods include: Mainly by personal interview (approx 2000 respondents). Mail phase for remote and people who refuse an interview (approx 500 respondents).

CID398 AFSM1 Mail enumerated questionnaire
CID398 AFSF1 Field phase interviewer enumerated questionnaire

From AFS clerical manual:
The 1974/75 and 1975/76 surveys were mail-based with field follow-up for reporting-bias-calibration.
Farmers found some difficulty in completing the form, and reporting bias was high for some items, as was the cost to some respondents of hiring accountants. In response to these concerns, the field interview approach was adopted. Mail forms are now only used for refusals, multi-State respondents, remote, large business units and respondents who specifically request a mail form.

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E3 Respondent choices

If only one method is stated in "Data collection methods", above, what consideration has been given to offering respondents a choice in how they provide their answers (eg phone, fax, mail)? (E3)

Mail respondents are encouraged to call the ABS about any concerns or difficulties they have in completing the form. Telephone contact is used during IFU as a last resort to obtain the data.

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E4 Questionnaire testing

What testing of the questionnaire(s) has (have) taken place? (E4)

Any new questions go through the standard testing procedures. There are no untested questions on the form this year.

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E5 Consultation with businesses

What other consultations have taken place with businesses or business associations regarding availability of data items and data collection methods? (E5)
Note. Refers to activities other than testing.

Unknown. National Accounts provide most input into form content.

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E6 Training of staff

What training of staff involved in data collection has taken place or is planned? (E6)
Note. Should include: interviewers; staff involved in follow-up activities; and staff involved in answering queries from respondents.

All experienced interviewers attend training sessions held in each State each year before the enumeration period. Topics covered include changes made to the form and review of Home Study Exercises (HSEs) that each interviewer is required to complete prior to the training. This training lasts 2-3 days.

New-interviewer training consists of special extended sessions held in a single State office. This training lasts for four days and includes introductions to AFS concepts and procedures as well as the topics covered by experienced interviewers.

All interviewers are supervised by permanent staff for at least one interview during the enumeration. For new interviewers, this forms part of the training package.

Data entry staff receive training in data input and form content (particularly in relation to any changes in content).

All interviewers receive an extensive set of written instructions that detail collection history, procedures, definitions and the like. Office staff also have access to this material.

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