Data collection by dynamic online questionnaires offers a range of options with regard to dynamic verification of data while the respondent is filling out the questionnaire. At Statistics Denmark we strive to utilise the new possibilities in online questionnaires for business surveys in order to minimise burden and improve data quality and cost effective production of business statistics.
In this paper I will present and discuss different types or “grades” of dynamic data verification:
• Soft / Assisting verification: Review or ignore
• Semi-hard / Alerting verification: Review, correct or explain
• Hard verification: Review and correct
Each type of validation has pros and cons, and each type may be utilised in validation of individual responses, in cross-validation of relations between responses or in cross validation between responses and pre-known information, which may or may not be displayed to the respondent. I will present examples of how dynamic data verification has been implemented in online questionnaires for two very different business surveys at Statistics Denmark:” Transportation of Goods by Lorry” and “Research & Development in Enterprises”.