Managing Data Quality Indicators with Paradata Based Statistical Quality Control Tools: The Keys to Survey Performance

Abstract

This chapter discusses opportunities and challenges for survey analytics, quality control, and quality assurance using paradata. It covers the role of statistical process and quality control concepts in paradata-based quality control and assurance programs. The chapter provides an overview of key performance indicators (KPIs) derived from paradata. It explains how to develop and use control charts and related quality control displays in active data collection to meet quality and cost goals in real time. These goals are usually established as part of a comprehensive quality control and assurance program. The chapter describes and justifies some of the indicators made possible by extensive paradata collection. It briefly discusses the processes involved in determining which KPIs to use. The chapter focuses on the tools of statistical process control (SPC) and statistical quality control (SQC), which have been used for decades as the quality control and assurance tools of choice in several industries.