Menu Close

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who needs to apply for survey clearance?

Any agency planning to conduct a survey or census that will result in the production of official statistics should apply for survey clearance. This applies to both large-scale national surveys and smaller agency-level surveys.

2. What is meant by “official statistics”?

Official statistics refer to all data produced by any agencies or individuals that are used to inform public policy, decision-making, and other official purposes.

3. Are there any exceptions to surveys requiring clearance?

Yes, survey clearance is not required for the following:

  • Academic research by students, such as master’s theses.
  • Internal surveys or feedback collection by agencies, particularly if done through onlineplatforms.
  • Technical surveys conducted by national-level agencies, like the National Tiger Surveyby the Department of Forest and Park Services.
  • Market research or product development by private companies.
  •  Project-specific evaluations and assessments by Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs) or Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
  •  Studies conducted by individual researchers or independent consultants for personal orcommercial purposes.

    4. Why are technical surveys like the National Tiger Survey exempted from clearance?

Technical surveys like the National Tiger Survey are exempted because they are specialized studies often conducted by specific national agencies for technical or environmental purposes, rather than for general statistical production.

5. What are the benefits of obtaining survey clearance?

Obtaining survey clearance ensures that the survey:

  • Adheres to high standards of data quality.
  • Does not duplicate efforts or impose unnecessary burdens on respondents.
  •  Aligns with the national statistical system, promoting consistency and comparability.

6. Do student surveys or academic research require clearance?

No, surveys or research conducted by students in colleges or universities for academic purposes, such as master’s theses, do not require survey clearance.

7. Are internal surveys conducted by agencies covered under the survey clearance?

No, internal surveys conducted by agencies for their own use, such as feedback and opinion surveys via online platforms at the agency level, are not covered by the survey clearance.

8. What are the key criteria used to assess a survey or census for clearance?

The assessment criteria include:

  • why the survey is conducted;
  • the effectiveness of survey instruments;
  • appropriateness of the sampling design;
  • operational plans;
  • authentication of outputs;
  • to avoid duplication of survey/census;
  • conformity to standard definitions;
  • use of classification; and
  •  promote use of administrative data.

9. How is the sampling design evaluated during the survey clearance process?

The sampling design is evaluated for its:

  • Statistical soundness;
  • Appropriateness for the population being studied; and
  • The methods used to ensure a representative sample.

    10. What operational plans are reviewed for survey clearance?
  • Timelines;
  • Logistics;
  • Resource allocation; and
  • the overall feasibility and efficiency of the survey, are reviewed.

    11. What documents are required when applying for survey clearance?
  • Application form;
  •  A detailed survey proposal;
  • Survey questionnaires; and
  • the enumerators’ manual or manual of instructions.

12. What should be included in the survey proposal?

The survey proposal should include:

  • Technical aspects of the survey;
  • The reference period;
  • Geographic scope;
  • Frequency;
  •  Methods of data collection;
  • Sampling design;
  • Statistical analysis methods;
  •  A work plan; and
  • An estimated budget.

    13. What is meant by conformity to standard definitions, concepts, and classifications?
    This means the survey must adhere to accepted statistical standards and practices to ensure consistency, comparability, and reliability of the data produced.

    14. How does the survey clearance process promote the use of administrative data?
    The clearance process encourages the integration of existing administrative data to complement survey findings, which can reduce the need for new data collection and improve the efficiency of the survey.

    15. How long does it take for the National Statistics Bureau Review Committee (NSB- RC) to process a survey clearance application?
    The NSB-RC processes survey clearance applications within 3 working days after submission of complete documents by the proponent or conducting agency.

    16. What happens if the NSB-RC needs additional information during the review period?
    If necessary, the NSB-RC may contact the focal person from the proponent or conducting agency to discuss and review specific components of the survey.

    17. Who is responsible for approving survey proposals and issuing survey clearance?
    The NSB-RC is the approving authority responsible for reviewing survey proposals and issuing survey clearance.

18. Does the survey clearance cover all types of approvals needed for conducting a survey?

No, the survey clearance issued by the NSB covers only the statistical aspects. Other administrative approvals, such as site administrative approval or ethical clearance, must be obtained separately.

19. What should be done if changes are needed to the approved survey design or instruments?

Any proposed changes to the approved survey design or instruments must be resubmitted to the NSB for approval. Deviations from the approved design without NSB approval may result in withdrawal of the survey clearance.

20. What are the consequences of not adhering to the approved survey design?

Failure to adhere to the approved survey design can lead to the withdrawal of the survey clearance, and the survey results will not be recognized as official statistics. This could damage the conducting agency’s reputation due to perceived incompetence or lack of adherence to the approved methodology.

21. How does the NSB ensure that the survey methodology is followed during the fieldwork?

The NSB team conducts field inspections to monitor adherence to the approved methodology, particularly focusing on sampling procedures and data collection processes.

22. What are the implications if the NSB withdraws the survey clearance?

If the survey clearance is withdrawn, the survey results will not be recognized or accepted as official statistics. This can have serious consequences, including reputational damage to the conducting agency and the potential invalidation of the survey’s findings.

Loading