© federal statistical office of germany in-depth review on time use surveys presentation by the...

© Federal Statistical Office of Germany

In-depth review on Time use surveys

Presentation by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany

Bernd Stoertzbach, Head of Section

08.06.2010 Slide 2© Federal Statistical Office of Germany

Outline Purpose of time use surveys Time use surveys of Germany, Finland

and United States Sample design Time allocation Collection method Coding

Lessons learned Issues and main challenges Further work


Purpose of time use surveys Description of living conditions

Information for decision-making process

Verification and interpretation of data

Estimation of non-market work

Assessment of the quality of life


Time use surveys in Germany, Finland and United States (1)

•Sample design Germany:

Last time use survey 2001/2002 5,400 households; members from 10 years on Quota method

Finland: Currently conducting a time use survey (2009/2010) 4,500 households; members from 10 years on Random sampling

United States Continuous survey with 2,200 cases per month Randomly selected individuals who completed the

Current Population Survey interviews Civilians noninstitutional over 14 years



Time allocation: Germany

Time use recorded on three days (two weekdays, one day at the weekend)

All household members record their time use on the same day

Finland Time use recorded on two days (one weekday, one day at the

weekend) All household members record their time use on the same day

United States Interview of the time use on the previous day



Collection method: Germany

Collection of data through paper diaries Respondents report their activities in their own words,

in 10 minute intervals Primary and secondary activities; ‘where’ and ‘with

whom’ Additional questionnaires for household and individuals

Finland Collection of data through paper diaries Respondents report their activities in their own words,

in 10 minute intervals Primary and secondary activities and ‘with whom’ Additional questionnaires for household and individuals

in face-to-face interviews and interviews by telephone



Collection method: United States

Collection of data through telephone interviews No secondary activities except childcare activities Additional information about household

composition, demographics characteristics and labour force

Government agencies can sponsor a 5 minute module of additional questions at the end of the survey


Lessons learned Introduction of additional column for means of

transport (GER) Continuous data collection throughout the year

(GER) Influence of the diary design (GER) Transition to samples of households (FIN) Less interviewers in the survey to retain the

interviewers’ skills (FIN) Improvement of the data through publication and

documentation (US) A continuous survey affects the conducting of time

use surveys. The staff is familiar with the production process and the handling of the data and problems as well as new needs can be easily addressed. (US)


Issues and main challenges Coding: use of IT facilities/travel Sample design: concerns of parents about

interviews with children Underreporting: sensitive issues/socially

unaccepted activities Reducing response burden Periodicity: increased demand of information

(Stiglitz/Household Satellite Accounts) Provide more background information

(financial situation/health)

08.06.2010 Slide

10© Federal Statistical Office of Germany

Conclusion

Political interest of conducting

time use surveysNational Statistical

InstitutesBudget restriction

© Federal Statistical Office of Germany

Thank You for your attention!

Bernd Stoertzbach, [email protected] Federal Statistical Office of Germany

© federal statistical office of germany in-depth review on time use surveys presentation by the...

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