ISTAT Information system on quality of statistical production processes SIQual
Survey operations
Planning
 Definition of the aims of the process
 Questionnaire design
 Classification and coding planning
 Definition of sampling design
 Frame implementation planning
 Planning analysis unit contact and observation: direct interview, telephone interview, photocopy of administrative documents, etc.
 Planning data collection modes
 Planning data collection monitoring system
 Planning data entry modes
 Planning editing and imputation methods
 Planning data analysis and tabulation procedures
 Planning modes and technical devices for result dissemination
 Definition procedures for automatic editing and imputation
Frame development
 Development and updating of an Istat local frame
 Drawing the list of reporting units from an Istat centralised frame (e.g. Italian Statistical Business Register - Asia, Municipality Register, LAC)
 Drawing the list of reporting units from an Istat decentralised frame (survey register)
 Drawing the list of reporting units from a non-Istat frame (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Crafts - C.C.I.A.A.)
Flows of activities through bodies/institutions prior to data collection
 Contact operations among bodies/institutions
  Transmission of instructions for frame implementation
  Transmission of primary sampling unit list (for 2/3 - stage samples)
  Transmission of secondary sampling unit list (for 3-stage samples)
  Transmission of sampling unit list
  Sending notice letters to reporting units
  Mailing questionnaires
  Sending questionnaires via Postel (Hybrid Mail Service Provider)
  Sending questionnaires via courier
  Hand delivery of questionnaires
  Updated software supply
  Sending letters requesting data transmission
  Mailing survey material
  Sending survey material via Postel (Hybrid Mail Service Provider)
  Sending survey material via courier
  Sending forms to collect interviewer data
  Sending instructions for data collection
  Sending of interviewer identification badges
  Data transmission to update Istat reporting unit frame
  Sending circulars
  Sending information notices
  Sending requests for questionnaire printing
  E-mailing data survey material
  Sending questionnaires via Postel (Hybrid Mail Service Provider) or e-mail
  Delivering paper or e-questionnaires according to the body/institution preference
  Sending requests for printing survey material
  Sending questionnaires via ordinary mail or e-mail
  Transmission of the updated primary sampling unit list (for 2/3 - stage samples)
  E-mailing questionnaires
  Sending questionnaires via Certified E-Mail
  Sending questionnaires via fax server
  Sending survey material via mail and e-mail
  Sending questionnaires via ordinary mail, fax, e-mail or on the web
  Return of the reporting unit list matched with telephone numbers
  Transmission of CATI management software (questionnaire included)
  E-mailing the reporting unit list and the draft questionnaire
  Transmitting via Circa web site the product list of the basket of goods updated and harmonised according to the European PPP programme
  Transmission via Indata of survey material
  Sending questionnaires via mail and courier
  Sending survey material via mail, fax and e-mail
  Hand delivery of data collection material
  Mailing user-id and password to access e-questionnaire
  Sending instruction letters via Postel (Hybrid Mail Service Provider) to download the e-questionnaire from Istat INDATA web site
  Hand or courier delivery of survey material
  Sending requests for the list of the resporting units
  Sending the list of the reporting units to be matched to telephone numbers
  Paper transmission of reporting units identification data
  Sending the reporting unit list with instructions for and update
  Sending notice letter to reporting units via Postel (Hybrid Mail Service Provider)
 Operations performed by one of the bodies/institutions
  Updating and correction of the primary sampling unit frame (for 2/3 - stage samples)
  Updating and correction of the second-stage sampling unit frame (for 2/3 - stage samples)
  Updating and correction of the reporting unit frame
  Draft and use of a paper frame of the primary sampling units (for 2/3 - stage samples)
  Draft and use of an electronic frame of the primary sampling units (for 2/3 - stage samples)
  Draft and use of a paper frame of the second-stage sampling units (for 3-stage samples)
  Draft and use of an electronic frame of the second-stage sampling units (for 3-stage samples)
  Draft and use of a paper frame of the reporting units
  Draft and use of an electronic frame of the reporting units
  Manual drawing of the primary sampling units (for 2/3 - stage samples)
  Electronic drawing of the primary sampling units (for 2/3 - stage samples)
  Manual drawing of the second-stage sampling units (for 3 - stage samples)
  Electronic drawing of the second-stage sampling units (for 3 - stage samples)
  Manual drawing of the reporting units
  Electronic drawing of the reporting units
  Selection of interviewers
  Selection and training of the interviewers
  Questionnaire printing
  Questionnaire pre-filling
  Questionnaire delivery to interviewers
  Delivery of questionnaire transmission schedule
  Printing survey material
  Search for phone numbers of reporting units
  Development and updating of data collection software
  Data entry of identification data on reporting units
  Matching reporting unit identification data to telephone numbers
  Creation and management of web-based system, IVR system and toll-free for the collection of households phone number
Acquisition of administrative data
 Administrative record origin
  Paper administrative record filled in by whom is concerned abiding by legal requirement
  Administrative e-record filled in by whom is concerned abiding by legal requirement
  Paper administrative record drafted by a public officer following a mandatory application submitted by an individual
  Administrative e-record drafted by a public officer following a mandatory application submitted by an individual
  Mandatory administrative record following an event and manually drafted by a public officer (e.g.: medical file)
  Mandatory administrative e-record following an event and drafted by a public officer (e.g.: medical file)
  Paper administrative record on an body/institution management data filled in by an operator (e.g.: balance sheet)
  Administrative e-record on an body/institution management data filled in by an operator
  Administrative record following surveys and/or instrumental measurements (e.g. air pollution)
  Administrative record abiding by a new law (e.g.: new municipality)
 Administrative data collection
  Individual administrative data collection
   Acquisition of a database containing individual administrative data from administrative head offices
   Acquisition of photocopies of individual administrative data from administrative head offices
   Acquisition of a database containing individual administrative data from reporting bodies/institutions (hospitals, municipalities)
   Individual administrative data collection from reporting bodies/institutions by means of photocopies, faxes
   Individual administrative data collection from reporting bodies/institutions by means of transcription on Istat form
   Acquisition of a database containing individual administrative data from intermediate bodies/institutions
   Individual administrative data collection from intermediate bodies/institutions by means of photocopies, faxes, scanners
   Individual administrative data collection from intermediate bodies/institutions by means of transcription on Istat form
   Acquisition of individual administrative data in electronic format from reporting bodies/institutions (hospitals, municipalities)
  Pre-processed administrative data collection
   Acquisition of a database containing pre-processed administrative data from administrative head offices
   Acquisition of a database containing pre-processed administrative data from reporting bodies/institutions (hospitals, municipalities)
   Pre-processed administrative data collection from reporting bodies/institutions by means of transcription on Istat form (hospitals, municipalities)
   Acquisition of a database containing pre-processed administrative data from intermediate bodies/institutions
   Pre-processed administrative data collection from intermediate bodies/institutions by means of transcription on Istat form
   Acquisition of a paper register of statistical data from a central administration
  Acquisition of statistical data collected while drafting administrative records
   Acquisition of a database containing statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from administrative head offices
   Acquisition of paper registers of statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from administrative head offices
   Acquisition of a database containing statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from reporting bodies/institutions
   Acquisition of paper registers of statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from reporting bodies/institutions
   Acquisition of a database containing statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from intermediate bodies/institutions
   Acquisition of paper registers of statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from intermediate bodies/institutions
  Acquisition of pre-processed statistical data collected while drafting administrative records
   Acquisition of a database containing pre-processed statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from administrative head offices
   Acquisition of a database containing pre-processed statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from reporting bodies/institutions
   Acquisition of pre-processed statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from reporting bodies/institutions by means of transcrip
   Acquisition of a database containing pre-processed statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from intermediate bodies/instituti
   Acquisition of pre-processed statistical data collected while drafting administrative records from intermediate bodies/institutions by means of transc
 Administrative data transmission mode
  Administrative data transmission on paper
  Administrative data transmission on electronic devices (floppy, CD-ROM, etc.)
  Electronic transmission of administrative data
   Administrative data transmission via GINO platform
   Administrative data transmission via Istat web site INDATA
   Administrative data transmission via Istat web site other than INDATA
   Administrative data transmission via a non-Istat web site
   Administrative data transmission via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) on public network
   Administrative data transmission via e-mail
   Administrative data transmission via ARCAM portal
   Acquisition of administrative data from the ANPR National Registry System of the Resident Population
Data collection mode
 Face to face interviewing
  Face to face interviewing with paper questionnaire
  Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI)
 Telephone interviewing
  Telephone interviewing by paper questionnaire
  Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)
 Mail self-administered data collection
  Mail self-administered data collection by paper questionnaire
  Mail self-administered data collection by paper diary
  Mail self-administered interviewing by e-questionnaire (Computer Assisted Self Interviewing - CASI)
  Mail self-administered interviewing by e-diary (Computer Assisted Self Interviewing (CASI)
 Self-administered questionnaire delivery and collection by interviewers
  Self-administered paper questionnaire delivery and collection by interviewers
  Self-administered paper diary delivery and collection by interviewers
  Self-administered e-questionnaire (Computer Assisted Self Interviewing - CASI)
  Self-administered e-diary (Computer Assisted Self Interviewing - CASI)
 Self-administered data collection via electronic transmission
  Self-administered data collection by e-questionnaire (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing-CAWI) or through upload of datasets on Istat web site INDATA
  Self-administered data collection by questionnaire available on an Istat web site other than INDATA or Enterprises Portal (CAWI)
  Self-administered data collection by questionnaire available on a non-Istat web site (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing - CAWI)
  Self-administered questionnaire sent by e-mail
  Self-administered data collection by questionnaire sent via Certified E-Mail
  Self-administered data collection by e-questionnaire (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing - CAWI) on Istat Enterprises Portal
  Self-administered data collection and trasmission through Istat portal ARCAM
  Self-administered data collection by e-questionnaire (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing - CAWI) through GINO++
 Data collection by web search
 Scanner data collection
 Data collection via web scraping
Flows of activities through bodies/institutions after data collection
 Transmission operations among bodies/institutions
  Mailing filled-in questionnaires
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via courier
  Mailing data on electronic devices (floppy disks, CDs)
  Sending data on electronic devices (floppy disks, CDs) via courier
  Web data transmission
  Questionnaire hand collection
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via mail or fax
  E-mail transmission of electronic sheets via
  Receiving of documents via ordinary mail, e-mail and fax
  E-mail data transmission
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via Postel (Hybrid Mail Service Provider) or e-mail
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via mail, fax and e-mail
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via mail or on the web
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via mail and e-mail
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via mail and courier
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via mail, fax and on the web
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via fax server, fax, e-mail and ordinary mail
  Transmission on the web of filled-in questionnaires
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via courier and recorded data via e-mail
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via fax-server, fax, e-mail, ordinary mail and on the web
  Sending filled-in questionnaires via mail and fax server
  Sending by mail, fax or e-mail the results of analyses on data collected by the body/institution
  E-mailing the results of analyses on data collected by the body/institution
  Data transmission by file upload via INDATA web site
  Sending filled-in questionnaire via web, by mail or delivery to Municipal Collection Centres or to enumerators
  Forwarding Accounts of comparison between Census data and municipal population Register via certified mail or by letter with advice of delivery
 Operations performed by one of the bodies/institutions
  Questionnaire formal review (completeness, coherence)
  Questionnaire content review (control of variable values)
  Coding reporting units
  Coding observation units
  Coding reporting bodies/institutions
  Coding intermediate bodies/institutions
  Coding open questions
  Selection of coders
  Data entry
  Data processing
  Filling in the questionnaires
  Drafting a list of nonrespondents
  Informing reporting bodies/institutions on data variations after check
  Filling-in expedition notes
  Running editing and imputation programmes as provided by Istat
  Data archive validation
  Accounts’ receipt monitoring, classification and storage
Data pre-processing
 Manual revision
  Error detection based on consistency edits
  Manual error correction forcing wrong values on the base of experience
  Manual error correction forcing wrong values on the base of deterministic rules as reported in a manual or document
  Manual error correction forcing wrong values on the base of previous correct data of the same survey
  Manual error correction forcing wrong values on the base of correct data from other surveys or sources
  Manual error correction based on reporting unit follow-up
  Manual error correction based on reporting body/institution follow-up
  Manual error correction during collection by interviewers of a paper diary
 Coding
  Manual coding assisted by paper lists or computer screens
  Computer assisted coding supported by interactive software (expert systems)
  Automatic coding (fully electronic)
 Data entry
  Optical reading data entry
  Manual data entry
   Data entry by a dedicated Istat unit
   Data entry by Istat section in charge of the survey
   Data entry by Istat sections other than the one in charge of the survey
   Outsourcing data entry
   Data entry from bodies/institutions external to Istat (E.g. Regional statistical offices)
 Revision during data entry
  Automatic error detection during data entry based on consistency edits
  Error correction during data entry by imputation based on operator experience
  Error correction by imputation based on previous correct data of the same survey
  Error correction by imputation based on correct data from other surveys or sources
  Error correction during data entry based on reporting unit follow-up
  Error correction during data entry based on reporting body/institution follow-up
  Automatic error correction during data entry based on deterministic rules
  Automatic error correction during data entry based on previous correct data of the same survey
 Revision after data-entry
  Manual error correction by comparison with paper questionnaires (on a sample basis)
 Revision of postal address data
  Address verification
  Adress geocoding
  Address duplicate check
  Personal data validation
 Organising data in various files
  Splitting questionnaire according to various record types
  Sorting out record sets of the same questionnaire
  Sorting out record sets of the same analysis unit
  Review based on constraints among records of the same survey
 Data integration
  Ricostruzione della chiave di abbinamento
  Costruzione delle variabili target e riclassificazione
  Data processing for definition reconcilation
  Data processing for classification reconcilation
  Riconciliazione dei valori tra fonti
  Creazione di un dataset armonizzato di dati di fonte amministrativa
  Microdata integration by record linkage (exact matching of same units in different records)
  Microdata integration by matching (exact matching of different units)
  Microdata assembling to reconstruct the set of observations
  Calcolo di variabili derivate
Editing and imputation
 Fully deterministic procedures
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation based on deterministic rules (IF-THEN)
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation based on deterministic modelling
 Fully probabilistic procedures
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and nearest-neighbour donor imputation
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and random donor imputation
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation based on stochastic modelling
 Fully interactive procedures on recorded data
  Error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on experience
  Error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on data from previous editions of the same survey
  Error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on data from other surveys or sources
  Error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on questionnaire review
  Error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on respondent follow-up
  Error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on respondent body/institution follow-up
  Error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on the available auxiliary variables
 Mixed procedures: deterministic detection and probabilistic imputation
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and nearest-neighbour donor imputation
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and random donor imputation
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation based on stochastic modelling
 Mixed procedures: deterministic detection and imputation by clerical reviewers
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on experience
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on data from previous editions of the same survey
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on data from other surveys or sources
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on questionnaire review
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on respondent follow-up
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on respondent body/institution follow-up
  Deterministic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on the available auxiliary variables
 Mixed procedures: probabilistic detection and deterministic imputation
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation based on deterministic rules (IF-THEN)
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation based on deterministic modelling
 Mixed procedures: probabilistic detection and imputation by clerical reviewers
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on experience
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on data from previous editions of the same survey
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on data from other surveys or sources
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on questionnaire review
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on respondent follow-up
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on respondent body/institution follow-up
  Probabilistic error and outlier detection and imputation by clerical reviewers based on the available auxiliary variables
 Mixed procedures: interactive detection on recorded data and deterministic imputation
  Error and outlier detection by clerical reviewers and imputation based on deterministic rules (IF-THEN)
  Error and outlier detection by clerical reviewers and imputation based on deterministic modelling
 Mixed procedures: interactive detection on recorded data and probabilistic imputation
  Error and outlier detection by clerical reviewers and nearest-neighbour donor imputation
  Error and outlier detection by clerical reviewers and random donor imputation
  Error and outlier detection by clerical reviewers and imputation based on stochastic modelling
Data processing
 Provisional data processing
  Setting up provisional microdata files for Eurostat
  Setting up provisional microdata files for Istat National Accounts Division
  Provisional macrodata processing
  Setting up provisional macrodata files for Eurostat
  Setting up provisional macrodata files for Istat National Accounts Division
  Processing provisional indexes
 Final data processing
  Setting up final microdata files for Eurostat
  Setting up final microdata files for Istat National Accounts Division
  Setting up final microdata files for Istat divisions other than National Accounts
  Setting up definitive microdata files for Sistan bodies
  Processing final macrodata
  Setting up final macrodata files for Eurostat
  Setting up final macrodata files for Istat National Accounts Division
  Processing final indexes
  Setting up final macrodata files for Sistan bodies
  Setting up final macrodata for International Bodies
 Processing data undergoing a revision policy
  Processing macrodata undergoing a revision policy
  Processing indexes undergoing a revision policy
 Processing methods
  Use of seasonal adjustment procedures
  Estimate calculation
  Use of working days adjustment procedures
  Maps production
  Application of procedures for the elaboration of indexes, deflation and seasonal adjustment
 Setting up and/or updating an Istat local register
 Forecasting data processing
  Forecasting macrodata estimate
 Constructing time series
 Constructing indicators
Data validation
 Coherence control with previous data of the same survey
 Coherence control with data from other surveys or sources
 Control of influential unit data, strongly contributing to computation of aggregates (e.g. large enterprises)
 Coherence control among indicators of different analysis units of the same survey
Data storage
 Microdata file storage in Istat Validated microdata repository (ARMIDA)
 Data storage in a local repository
 Data storage in a central server
Statistical disclosure control
 Methods of risk evaluation for tables
  Risk evaluation by applying a threshold rule
  Risk evaluation by applying a dominance rule
 Methods of protection for tables
  Cell suppression
  Cell perturbation
  Table redesign
 Methods of protection microdata
  Global recording
  Local suppression
  Data masking
Dissemination
 Press release dissemination ("Statistiche-Flash", "Statistiche-Report", "Statistiche-Focus", "Note informative")
 Editing publications
  Publication of final data on survey-specific volumes (Series Yearbooks, "Informazioni", etc.)
  Publication of provisional data (e.g. "Nota rapida", etc.)
  Publication of data on Istat general volumes (Statistical Yearbook, "Conoscere l'Italia", Italian Statistical Compendium, etc.)
  Publication of insights or specific studies (Series "Argomenti", "Metodi e Norme", etc.)
  Publishing data in volumes of International Organisations (OECD, Eurostat, etc.)
  Data dissemination for Sistan bodies publications
  Publication of data on sectorial volumes (E.g. Rapporto sul turismo italiano)
 Dissemination in dissemination data bases or information systems
  Dissemination in Istat data bases accessible at the Data shop, Regional Offices or other locations
  Dissemination in data bases on the Internet or other networks or electronic systems as BBS (Bulletin Board System)
  Dissemination on international dedicated networks meeting dissemination standards (UN, Eurostat, OECD, WHO)
  Dissemination via Internet in an information system
 Machine To Machine data dissemination
 Microdata availability to external users
  Release of File Standard
  Microdata File for Research (MFR) release
  Access to the laboratory for the Analysis of Elementary Data (ADELE)
  Release of files for Sistan
  Release of public use file (mIcro.STAT)
Documentation
 Developing electronic tools for quality indicators computation
 Disseminating quality indicators supporting statistical information
 Disseminating of quality reports supporting statistical information
Evaluation
 Gathering evaluation inputs
 Quality statistical auditing
 Quality statistical self-assessment
 Agreement of an action plan after evaluation
Replanning survey procedures and tools
 Replanning the statistical target population
 Replanning questionnaire design
 Replanning questionnaire form (e.g. from paper to electronic form)
 Replanning classification and coding
 Replanning sampling design
 Replanning frame implementation
 Replanning analysis unit contact and observation: direct interviewing, telephone interviewing, photocopy of administrative documents, etc.
 Replanning data collection and transmission modes
 Replanning information system for data collection monitoring
 Replanning data entry
 Replanning editing and imputation techniques
 Replanning procedures for consistency edits and automatic corrections
 Replanning software for analysis and result tabulation
 Replanning means and technical devices for result dissemination
 Replanning in concurrence with change of base year