Compulsory statistics survey: Would you participate or is it an intrusion?

Forums › Off topic › Compulsory statistics survey: Would you participate or is it an intrusion?

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tdgeek

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#2068678 6-Aug-2018 14:30

surfisup1000:

MikeB4:

I spoke with a close friend who holds a senior position at Statistics and is heavily involved with the IDA and SIA. He advises that the information gathered is secure and access to it is very closely protected. No personally identifiable information is available to other parties.

That is only a little reassuring in that they have an awareness of data security. But, there is no guarantee that they are competent enough to implement proper security .

Every large company and govt agency say they take data security very seriously. But, data hacks still occur all too frequently.

Look at equifax, hackers gain access to over a hundred million american citizens financial records. They said their security was tight, but it wasn't!

Agree

So if we stand down from doing Stats for our Govt, we should also stand down from being involved in anything hackable?

MikeAqua

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#2068726 6-Aug-2018 15:24

tdgeek:

So if we stand down from doing Stats for our Govt, we should also stand down from being involved in anything hackable?

A difference here is a trade-off. If I do something online, I acknowledge that I expose myself to privacy risks. I have done so because I see a direct benefit to me - enjoyment or convenience.

There is no such direct benefit in completing any survey.

Mike

andrew027

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#2068840 6-Aug-2018 15:54

My $0.02: I don't mind completing surveys, and have no problem if the government wants detailed information about my household on which to base their decisions, but I do believe they should make every effort to ensure people are not unduly inconvenienced. Having someone knock on my door, essentially threaten me, then sit in my living room for three hours asking 273 questions while I run around looking for an 11 month old receipt from that new toaster... that's bloody inconvenient.

It would be better if they used a greater number of households and asked for a smaller amount of data from each one, and in advance, e.g. "Over the next 12 months, record every transaction your household makes for electronic household appliances, entertainment outside the home (attending concerts, movies, sports, etc.), health (doctor's visits, pharmacy, etc. excluding veterinary services), mortgage payments, motor vehicle maintenance, public transport and takeaway dinners." etc. Much quicker for them and me, and much more accurate data, if I'm collecting it as I go.

graham007

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#2069191 7-Aug-2018 10:31

If i got a incentive like a $300 fuel or food voucher i will be more motivated and more people will be inclined to fill it up

i would imagine participation will go up by 20-30% atleast if it had a reward attached to it.

Dratsab

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#2069199 7-Aug-2018 10:50

andrew027: (snip) then sit in my living room for three hours asking 273 questions while I run around looking for an 11 month old receipt from that new toaster... that's bloody inconvenient.

For a some people I'd agree, especially those who don't care about warranties etc and just throw their receipts away. However, for those with even a modicum of organisational skills, receipts for appliances/major purchases will be kept in one place for their own convenience and will be easy retrieve. Personally, I scan all my receipts* and have them stored in structured folder system so retrieving them would be very easy. That said, if I was told I had to complete a survey I'd insist they supply a CD or USB stick to take the data away as I sure as hell wouldn't be printing them out.

* I'll qualify that by saying all receipts that aren't general groceries or stuff that doesn't carry warranties etc - those go in the bin.

alasta

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#2069213 7-Aug-2018 11:36

Dratsab:

andrew027: (snip) then sit in my living room for three hours asking 273 questions while I run around looking for an 11 month old receipt from that new toaster... that's bloody inconvenient.

For a some people I'd agree, especially those who don't care about warranties etc and just throw their receipts away. However, for those with even a modicum of organisational skills, receipts for appliances/major purchases will be kept in one place for their own convenience and will be easy retrieve. Personally, I scan all my receipts* and have them stored in structured folder system so retrieving them would be very easy. That said, if I was told I had to complete a survey I'd insist they supply a CD or USB stick to take the data away as I sure as hell wouldn't be printing them out.

* I'll qualify that by saying all receipts that aren't general groceries or stuff that doesn't carry warranties etc - those go in the bin.

Same here. Producing receipts for major purchases would be easy, but not for minor purchases.

If they just want the spending data then that would be easy if they want something that aligns with a classification in my accounting system - e.g. 'rent' or 'groceries'. However if they want something more specific like 'how many beers did you buy at the pub' then that would be problematic.

frednz

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#2070085 8-Aug-2018 15:33

One of the comments made in response to the Stuff Article was:

"My elderly folks, older than the kind folks in this article, have similarly been accosted by this survey, Stats NZ repeated phone calls and door knockers. The relentless phone calls from Stats people have had an unacceptable toll on my mother especially (significant anxiety). She is acutely anxious about this and upon my speaking twice to Stats NZ trying to get hold of the Senior Advisor (I could name him) administering the survey, I could only leave messages requesting they deselect my parents for health reasons and select another household. We are still waiting for formal reply saying this will be done. The threat of legal obligation to complete it, is also unacceptable Stats NZ!"

I think the position of people being selected for surveys, who have significant health problems, needs to be clarified. I don't think these people should be "threatened" in any way. Are such people obliged to call in family members to help complete the survey? Does Stats NZ have the authority to deselect immediately anyone who is not capable of properly completing the survey? Perhaps if a medical certificate is available backing up this situation, it might persuade Stats NZ to "deselect" such people?

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MikeAqua

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#2070108 8-Aug-2018 15:59

frednz:

I think the position of people being selected for surveys, who have significant health problems, needs to be clarified. I don't think these people should be "threatened" in any way.

In my experience the stats person (a bit of a battleaxe) was threatening fines in her opening sentence before I'd had chance to say anything.

I can see how that would be stressful for some people. It certainly irritated me.

Mike

Gilco2

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#2070171 8-Aug-2018 18:35

we did one couple months back. She was very pleasant and courteous. She left a card with reference number and said they would follow up in few weeks with phone call and the reference number will be quoted so we know its not scam call. Havent been called back yet. Survey wasnt anything to be riled up about.

ZollyMonsta

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#2070174 8-Aug-2018 19:07

I got roped into the ‘sophie’ survey. I hated all eight (yes, eight) years of it.

No escape from it. Just made life difficult for them.

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

ZollyMonsta

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#2070175 8-Aug-2018 19:08

...and yes, they constantly threatened and said I was legally obliged to take part, right from the original contact they made. Hardly a way to make friends.

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

allan

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#2070315 8-Aug-2018 21:59

Personally I think if it's good enough for the government to pay you for compulsory jury duty, it's also good enough for them to pay you to take part in a compulsory survey.

allan

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#2070316 8-Aug-2018 21:59

Personally I think if it's good enough for the government to pay you for compulsory jury duty, it's also good enough for them to pay you to take part in a compulsory survey.

MikeAqua

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#2070413 9-Aug-2018 09:26

ZollyMonsta: I got roped into the ‘sophie’ survey. I hated all eight (yes, eight) years of it.

No escape from it. Just made life difficult for them.

That's worth moving house to get away from ...

Mike

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