This document compares the implications of a census approach versus a sample approach to data collection. A census approach involves collecting data from all individuals and becomes part of regular business operations. It has higher initial costs but reduces costs over time. It ensures continuity and robustness for trend analysis. A sample approach collects data from only a few individuals and is seen as a separate activity. It has lower initial costs but requires constant attention. Sample data is less robust for trend analysis and continuity may be easier to stop. Overall, a census approach is more effective as data collection is embedded in regular business operations.

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Implications of census approach Implications of sample approach
• Data collection becomes part of regular business. Staff
may need to take on extra responsibilities
• Initial costs (training and any IT changes) may be high,
but these will generally reduce over time
• All staff to be trained initially
• Staff ownership – should be seen as business as usual
• Continuity – High chance of continuity
• Robustness – more robust for trend analysis
• Data management can be overwhelming at the
beginning, but should become easier over time as
process is embedded into operations
• Project management should be smoother and become
easier over time as this process becomes business as
usual. Only small changes may be needed over time
• The effectiveness of a census approach is high as data
collection and processes are business as usual
• Separate time allocation for data collection which can be
inefficient.
• Generally each sample data collection approach will
cost the same over time.
• Only a few staff to be trained – loss of these staff may
require further training in the future
• Staff ownership – may be seen as separate activity and
therefore less ownership taken
• Continuity – easier to stop
• Robustness – Less robust for trend analysis
• Data management may be easier with smaller amounts
of data
• Project management can be difficult it requires effective
resource allocation and constant attention.
• The effectiveness of a sample approach may be low to
moderate as the data collection is a separate activity

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