Annual Survey of Service Industries: Surveying and Mapping

Detailed information for 1998

The survey collects financial and operating data needed to produce statistics for the Canadian surveying and mapping industry.

Data release - February 27, 2001

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

The survey objective is the collection and dissemination of data necessary for the statistical analysis of the surveying and mapping industry.

The information from the survey can be used by businesses for market analysis, by trade associations to study performance and other characteristics of their industries, by government to develop national and regional economic policies, and by other users involved in research or policy making.

The data were produced as part of Statistics Canada's Unified Enterprise Survey (UES), the main purpose of which is to ensure Statistics Canada receives consistent and integrated data from many types of surveys and sizes of businesses with enough detail to produce accurate provincial statistics.

Statistical activity

This survey is part of the Service Industries Program. The survey data gathered are used to compile aggregate statistics for over thirty service industry groupings. Financial data, including revenue, expense and profit statistics are available for all of the surveys in the program. In addition, many compile and disseminate industry-specific information.

Reference period: Calendar year

Collection period: January to September

Subjects

• Business, consumer and property services
• Business performance and ownership
• Financial statements and performance
• Professional, scientific and technical services

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population consists of all statistical establishments (sometimes referred to as firms or units) classified as Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (NAICS 54136) and Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (NAICS 54137) according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) during the reference year.

• Additional documentation

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.

Two sources of data were used to derive the estimates:

( a probability sample survey of surveying and mapping establishments with an annual gross business revenue above survey thresholds,

( taxation data to estimate for businesses with an annual gross business revenue below survey thresholds.

A total of 1,247 establishments on the Business Register in 1998 had annual revenue above survey thresholds. Survey thresholds were never lower than $30,000, and reached as high as $164,000 in two provinces, for establishments in either NAICS.

Sampling Unit:
3.2.2

The sampling unit used in the probability survey is the establishments of one enterprise that operate in the same industry and the same province. The sampling unit can be called a "cluster of establishments".

Sampling rate:
3.2.3

Of the total 1,247 establishments above survey thresholds, 30 establishments of complex enterprises and 379 establishments of simple enterprises were selected in the sample. The overall sampling rate was thus 33%.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files.

Questionnaires were mailed to establishments selected in the sample in the spring of 1999. Establishments were asked to report information for their 12-month fiscal period for which the final day occurs on or between January 1st and December 31st 1998. In addition to the mail-out / mail-back questionnaire approach, the survey was also conducted using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) for data collection, capture, edit and follow-up. The collection period ended in October 1999.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

Estimation

The sampling weights derived from the sample survey design were modified and improved using updated information. This was made possible by the fact that, during the passage of time since the sample was selected, the Business Register was updated further with more complete information. The final set of weights reflects as closely as possible the changing characteristics of the population in this industry. The final estimates were derived by combining the survey estimates and the taxation data estimates.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.