Statistics Canada is researching electronic methods for data collection of business surveys. They divide this into two components: the collection of data and the transfer of that data. For the collection of data, they consider the following options:

• Questionnaires on diskettes
• Questionnaires on the Intervet (WWW)
• Questionnaires or electronic files incorporated into "commercial" software
• Electronic files supplied by the respondent based on a pre-specified record layout
• Electronic files from other sources (a consistent record layout within each source)
• Touch Tone Data entry (TDE)

And for the transfer of data, the following are considered:

• Mail/Courier (diskettes)
• Direct dial-up
• Internet
• FTP
• E-mail
• Value Added Networks (VANS)
• EDI
• SDT (Structured Data Transfer) software

They looked at a survey conducted electronically to collect information from companies that operate at least four retail locations. This survey was conducted using diskettes sent to the companies once per year to be completed and returned to Statistics Canada on the same diskette. They considered this survey (PERQS-Personalized Electronic Reporting Questionnaire System) to be a success.

This system allows the customer to import the data so there are no data entry errors. They could edit the information and give explanations of any discrepancies/questions coming back from the agency. They considered doing this over the internet, but the employees keeping the records rarely had internet capability at these companies so the diskette idea was used with the thought that it would go web in the future.

It was a success because the data was more accurate, easier and faster and cost less to both Statistics Canada and to the respondents. They conclude that this is the way to go for the future.

Since this article is dated 1997, I wonder if they have implemented full internet data collection by now. It certainly seems feasible.