Post-enumeration Survey (PES) - Statistics South Africa

Statistics South Africa
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4. MATCHING AND RECONCILIATION
This chapter describes the methodology that was used to match census and PES records. It provides a
summary of the activities that were implemented from the processing of questionnaires, initial matching,
reconciliation visits and final matching.
4.1 Data processing
The processing of PES data was done by the Census Data Processing team and was completed in
March 2012. This process involved the scanning of PES questionnaires in order to store the data in the
form of electronic images and text files. The scanning of census questionnaires for the EAs that are in
the PES sample, including surrounding EAs, were prioritised to ensure that both census and PES
questionnaires were made available in time for matching and reconciliation. The PES sample consisted
of 600 EAs, but 596 EA questionnaire boxes were scanned for the PES since four EAs had been
identified as out of scope after the completion of listing (three EAs had been identified as vacant and one
as a special dwelling institution (SDI)). The Census Data Processing Centre (CDPC) handed over the
data to the PES team in March 2012.
4.2 Recruitment and training of staff
Training on matching procedures
Training on matching procedures was conducted over a period of one week. Theoretic training was
carried out over a period of five days (12–16 March 2012) and practical training was conducted over a
period of two days (17–18 March 2012) and was computer-based (on the computer-assisted manual
matching system). Human Resource Management was requested to recruit 360 candidates in order to
increase the pool of candidates to choose from (20% over-recruitment). 300 staff members were
selected from a pool of 335 trainees upon completion of training as well as scores obtained for
assessments administered during training. Candidates were expected to obtain an average score of 60%
for all four (4) assessments administered during training in order to be considered for appointment. The
300 candidates were appointed for the following positions:
• 180 Matching Clerks,
• 60 Matching Supervisors, and
• 60 Quality Assurance Monitors.
Training on reconciliation visit procedures
Training on reconciliation visits procedures was conducted from 26–28 March 2012 in Pretoria. Training
included a practical exercise on the use of global positioning system (GPS) devices to ensure that
reconciliation visits are carried out within the correct enumeration area (EA) boundaries, and make a
clear distinction between households that were correctly or erroneously enumerated (boundary-related
inclusions/exclusions). The Reconciliation Visits team was made up of 27 staff members who had
Post Enumeration Survey (PES)