Data Processing
Data Editing
During the early planning stages it was clear that the existing hardware and peripherals in NSO were not sufficient to enable it to process a modern census. However, with the financial assistance of UNFPA, under the MON/97/P10 project, “Strengthening the Capacity of the National Statistical Office in Data Processing, Analysis and Dissemination”, and the MON/97/P04 project, “Strengthening the Population and Reproductive Health Database for Mongolia”, NSO was provided with new equipment, components and software. It was thus able to establish the basis for strengthening the technical capacity required for the 2000 census. The NSO purchased a range of equipment including 38 Compaq computers, two ACER server computers and other equipment.
On the software side, the NSO decided to process the census using IMPS (Integrated Microcomputer Processing System). Apart from the use of IMPS, the NSO developed other census applications, for example, using the CLIPPER and VISUAL BASIC languages. A special application to speed coding named SEARCH was also developed. Data entry was designed for LAN using a Windows NT Server V4.0 as the control center. The system facilitated data processing, restricting archiving and control functions to the server. Daily progress reports were also provided as part of the Data Control System.
Editing was completed in two stages. In the first stage records were edited manually and in the second they were automatically edited using the editing module of the IMPS package, Concor. The BPCS staff monitored editing work. All editing was completed by 15 October 2000.
Other Processing
Immediately following the census, all records were checked for completeness at the aimag and district levels before being dispatched to the NSO for further processing. On arrival at the NSO, the batches were again checked and receipt was recorded. An important task was in data preparation involved the coding of census responses. From early March, the coding and data entry operations commenced. While most of the coding was done manually the system was designed to undertake limited computer assisted coding for the more complex questions. This automatic coding saved valuable time and resulted in more uniform and high quality coding.The data entry for the PHC 2000 is done by DPTD at the NSO head office in Ulaanbaatar. Data entry operations began on 24 April 2000. A number of controls were set up to ensure the operation went smoothly. A computer program was developed to record progress in data entry and in the performance of individual operators. To further monitor the efficiency and accuracy of data entry, all census materials of all districts of Ulaanbaatar and all aimag center soums were double-entered.
During actual operations 49 persons were working as data entry operators, nine persons were working as re-entry operators and eight persons were working as supervisors. Until July 2000 all staff operated in two shifts, each working for six days per week. By the end of July 2000 all data entry other than the special batches provided by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Justice had been completed. The coverage rules for these Ministries were complex and special edit rules needed to be developed.
