PROMOTION AND UTILIZATION OF CENSUS RESULTS: Making value visible

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PROMOTION AND UTILIZATION OF CENSUS
RESULTSMaking value visible

• M. Mubila
• Statistics Department
• African Development Bank

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Outline

• Introduction
• Types of data generally collected through a
  census
• Why is it important to promote census results?
• Promotion of censuses and results
• Merits of sufficient and in-depth analysis of
  census data
• Dissemination of census results
• Archiving
• Census evaluation
• Conclusion

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• Introduction
• A modern census is defined as a process of data
  collection, compilation, evaluation and
  dissemination of demographic, socio-economic data
  pertaining to a countrys population at a
  specified time.
• This implies that a census is complete only when
  the above activities are fully and successfully
  undertaken including sufficient and in-depth
  analysis of census results.

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• Types of data generally collected through a
  census
• Censuses provide very key information on
  demographic, human settlement, social and
  economic issues which can be used for local,
  regional, national, and international purposes.
  The census is the only census exercise that
  generates data at smallest geographical domain.
• For comparability among countries the United
  Nations for the 2010 round of censuses
  recommended the collection of data on core topics
  to facilitate comparability of data and
  information among countries.

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• Why is it important to promote census results?
• Apart from providing basic demographic and
  socio-economic results of varying detail, a
  quality and successful census provides the
  opportunity for mobilizing the country and making
  statistical activities visible. A census still
  remains the backbone of statistical development
  in many African countries.
• The census is one of the most comprehensive
  operations that collects varied and relatively
  comprehensive data about the countrys population
  at low level geography i.e. small areas. It is,
  therefore, prudent to fully analyze and promote
  census findings by disseminating to all relevant
  stakeholders or users.

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• Instead of countries only providing basic
  population size figures, there is unlimited
  potential to carry out in-depth analysis of
  the countrys population with respect to
  education, gender, occupation, economic
  activity, disability etc. Such analytical
  results would provide numerical profiles and
  informed commentaries essential for
  evidence-based decision making at all levels
  including small areas such as communities and
  therefore add value to census results. In fact
  the common complaint from census data users is
  that the disseminated results are lacking at
  community level. By providing such data the
  profile of census results and activities would be
  promoted and more valuable especially that a
  number of African countries are adopting or
  trying to adopt a decentralizing model of
  governance.

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• Promotion of censuses and results
• Promotion of the census results, has to start by
  planning and implementing a quality and credible
  census. This implies that all the three phases
  of the census, namely planning, enumeration
  (field count) and post enumeration phases (data
  capture, processing, analysis and dissemination)
  should be professionally and objectively
  undertaken. This will entail obtaining reliable
  data that will instil confidence into users of
  census data resulting into its promotion and
  adding value to the results.

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• Merits of sufficient and in-depth analysis of
  census data
• One of the most important tasks in a census
  operation is the analysis of census data.
• The aim is to produce a sanctity narrative
  that brings together evidence and arguments in
  support of conclusions about the demographic and
  socio-economic situation the data is supposed to
  represent .
• The census information offers a wonderful
  opportunity for detailed analysis to add value
  to census results because of the universal
  coverage, relatively many items covered and the
  simultaneity of its conduct

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• However, for most countries in Africa, the
  voluminous information collected is only
  partially analyzed and disseminated and often in
  an untimely manner. This in turn leads to
  undervaluing the census and underutilization of
  the results. To some extent it is a disservice
  to countries when one looks at the missed
  opportunity to analyse and provide the needed
  data pertinent to informed policy and decision-
  making.
• There is, therefore, need for in-depth analysis
  of census data instead to of just basic
  numbers relating to population size or counts.
• Thematic areas for in-depth analysis, in addition
  to regular staff of the national statistical
  office, may involve subject matter specialists
  from research institutions, universities, line
  Ministries etc. In this way you build analytical
  capacity at the national statistical office. At
  the same time you satisfy the demand from
  specialist users of census results. Hence the
  value and visibility of the census results would
  be enhanced.

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• Areas requiring in-depth analysis may include
  Age Structure Mortality, Fertility and
  Migration Education Disability Aging
  Youth Gender correlates etc. With the
  production of thematic reports the utilization of
  census data is maximized and justifies the heavy
  investment both financial and human resources
  that go into the implementation of a census
  program.

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• Dissemination of census results
• Dissemination of census results can add value to
  census results by adopting an aggressive approach
  that would satisfy an assortment of different
  users. Timely release of data is a quality
  measure that cultivates confidence in the census
  data by informed users. In order to make value
  visible of the census results the dissemination
  strategy should entail using different media to
  cater for different stakeholders. Some of the
  suggested modes include
• Printed reports CDROMS Internet dissemination
  and databases charts and walk-in requests from
  the census office workshops and seminars
  bulletins 10 of anonymized micro data and
  Geographic information System (GIS) web-based
  mapping.

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• Archiving
• Archiving encompasses actions undertaken to
  ensure that completed questionnaires, control
  forms, manuals, other relevant documents, maps,
  data and accompanying metadata collected are
  managed and maintained in formats that ensures
  their utility for current and future uses.
• Unfortunately, for most African countries,
  archiving of census data and associated documents
  are usually given the least attention this
  explains the scarcity of materials and
  information of previous censuses.
• This is an area which needs to receive special
  attention in the 2010 round of censuses.
• Indeed value of the census results would and its
  utilization would be enhanced as census
  information would be readily available for use
  and analysis time immemorial.

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• Census evaluation
• Census evaluation is a necessary activity
  associated with the census. It promotes the
  census because informed users or stakeholders
  recognize and appreciate the census offices
  effort of self-evaluation with respect to the
  census results.
• In addition, the evaluation adds value to the
  census as serious users will have some
  parameters, such as the coverage rates and
  content measures, to judge the census and how far
  they can go in interpreting the results.
  Internationally users will give more credence to
  the census results knowing that a census
  evaluation was conducted.
•  

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• Two known methods of evaluation are currently
  recommended, namely the use of demographic
  analytical techniques and the post enumeration
  surveys (if well designed and implemented).
  Owing to the paucity of time series demographic
  data in most Africa countries the former approach
  is not intensively used. The most common method,
  therefore adopted, is the post enumeration survey
  approach. While a number of countries carried out
  post enumeration surveys during the 2010 census
  round, some African countries did not.

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• Conclusion
• The African Development Bank strongly supports
  the promotion and utilization of census data.
  With reliable and sufficiently analyzed census
  data, countries benefit by formulating policies
  and making decisions based on objective
  information. In addition, the much needed
  visibility of national statistical systems will
  be enhanced. It is the Banks hope that the
  Many African countries, if not all will take part
  in the 2020 round of census and add visible value
  to the census results by adhering to the
  recommendations which will come from this
  workshop.
• I would like to conclude by stating that the
  African Development Bank supported the 2010 round
  of census, in some African countries through
  providing technical assistance and is poised to
  continue during the 2020 round of censuses.

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• Thank you