Annual Survey of Service Industries: Surveying and Mapping
Detailed information for 2000
Status:
Active
Frequency:
Annual
Record number:
4715
The survey collects financial and operating data needed to produce statistics for the Canadian surveying and mapping industry.
Data release - June 21, 2002
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.
Instrument design
The survey questionnaires comprise generic modules that have been designed to cover several service industries. These modules include revenues, expenses, and employment, as well as an industry-specific module designed to ask for financial and non-financial characteristics that pertain specifically to this industry.
In order to reduce respondent burden, smaller firms receive a characteristics questionnaire (shortened version) which does not include the revenue and expense modules. For smaller firms, revenue and expense data are extracted from administrative files.
Sampling
This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.
The survey design was based on probability sampling and only covered the portion of the frame subject to direct data collection.
Prior to the selection of a random sample, establishments are classified into homogeneous groups (i.e., groups with the same NAICS codes, same geography (province/territory), and same business type (incorporated/unincorporated) attributes). Quality requirements are targeted, and then each group is divided into sub-groups called strata: take-all, must-take, and take-some.
The take-all stratum includes the largest firms in terms of performance (based on revenue) in an industry. Every firm is sampled, which means each firm represents itself and is given a weight of one. The must-take stratum is also comprised of self-representing units, but these are selected on the basis of complex structure characteristics (multi-establishment, multi-legal, multi-NAICS, or multi-province enterprises). Units in the take-some strata are subjected to simple random sampling.
Finally, the sample size is increased, mostly to compensate for firms that no longer belong in the industry; i.e., they have gone out of business, changed their primary business activity, they are inactive, or are duplicates on the frame. After removing such firms, the sample size for 2000 was 437 collection entities.
Data sources
Data collection for this reference period: March 2001 to August 2001
Responding to this survey is mandatory.
Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files.
Data are collected through a mail-out/mail-back process, while providing respondents with the option of telephone or other electronic filing methods.
Follow-up procedures are applied when a questionnaire has not been received after a pre-specified period.
View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .
Error detection
Data are examined for inconsistencies and errors using automated edits coupled with analytical review. Where possible, data will be verified using alternate sources.
Imputation
Partial records were imputed to make them complete. Data for non-respondents were imputed using donor imputation, administrative data or historical data.
Estimation
As part of the estimation process survey data are weighted and combined with administrative data to produce final industry estimates.
Quality evaluation
Prior to dissemination, combined survey results are analyzed for comparability; in general, this includes a detailed review of individual responses (especially for the largest companies), general economic conditions, historic trends, and comparisons with other data sources.
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.
Data accuracy
Of the sampled units contributing to the estimate the weighted response rate was 60%.
The sample of surveying and mapping services represents 95% of the estimated industry revenues. The remainder of the estimate was derived from administrative data sources.
Since this survey was based on probability sampling the potential for error caused by sampling can be measured. A standard measure of sampling error is the coefficient of variation (CV). The qualities of CVs are rated as follows:
. Excellent 0.01% to 4.99%
. Very good 5.00% to 9.99%
. Good 10.00% to 14.99%
. Acceptable 15.00% to 24.99%
. Use with caution 25.00% to 34.99%
. Unreliable 35.00% or higher
The CV for this survey for reference year 2000 has ranged from "Excellent" to "Very good" for revenue, expenses and wages and salaries variables.
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