The precision and dependability of data on poverty, growth, employment, and unemployment in India are critical for effective policy formulation. To ensure the well-being of its huge population, surveys generating these figures must be undertaken on a regular basis, according to preset schedules, and to the highest quality standards.
The Importance of Sample Survey Data for Policy Development:
- Sample surveys, such as the NSS, NFHS, and PLFS, are critical data sources used by policymakers to assess the performance of previous policies and establish new ones.
- Identifying Socioeconomic Indicators: Sample surveys give estimates on household consumer spending, health outcomes, education, employment status, asset ownership, poverty levels, and other variables. These indicators assist policymakers in identifying priority areas and allocating resources accordingly.
- Representative Data: Using carefully selected samples, sample surveys try to capture the diversity and heterogeneity of various locations, communities, and socioeconomic categories.
- Monitoring Progress and Development: Sample surveys enable the monitoring of progress and development across time by conducting surveys at regular intervals. It aids in identifying areas where progress is lacking or actions are required.
- Decision-making Based on Evidence: Sample surveys provide policymakers with empirical evidence that supports decision-making based on evidence. Instead of depending exclusively on anecdotal evidence or assumptions, policymakers can gain access to trustworthy data to better understand the impact of policies and make educated decisions based on robust statistical analysis.
- Transparency and Accountability: Sample surveys encourage policy transparency and accountability. Because complete survey methodology and data are available, they can be scrutinised and peer reviewed, ensuring that the processes and findings are subjected to rigorous analysis.
Issues raised in major surveys in India
- Obsolete sample Frames: Because the surveys use obsolete sample frames, they do not adequately reflect India’s current population distribution. As a result, surveys may undercount the proportion of the urban population while overestimating the rural population, resulting in skewed results.
- Inadequate Representation: The sample techniques of the surveys are not adaptable to the rapid changes in India’s population and economy.
- While there is considerable agreement on the robustness and representativeness of the survey technique, there is a lack of focus and scrutiny on the data quality of these surveys.
- Non-Sampling Errors: The response rate in these surveys varies according on wealth level. This issue has the potential to generate biases in survey estimates, particularly in the representation of wealthy households.
- India’s Progress is Underappreciated: Using old surveys in a dynamic economy like India, where there have been significant policy reforms and growing urbanisation, might inhibit effective policy-making by establishing a gap between ground realities and survey estimates.
Effects of improper sampling
- Biassed Estimates: Poor sampling practises can induce biases into survey estimates, resulting in erroneous representations of the target population. Biases can lead to misleading results and impede effective policy decision-making.
- Underrepresentation and Exclusion: Poor sampling can result in the underrepresentation or exclusion of certain population groups. As a result, their needs and viewpoints may be overlooked, resulting in insufficient policy interventions for marginalised or underrepresented groups.
- Inadequate Generalizability: Poor generalizability is hampered by inaccurate or non-representative sampling. When the sample does not adequately reflect the population, making reliable inferences about the larger population based on survey data becomes difficult.
- Poor Data Quality: Poor sampling degrades the overall quality of the obtained data. Sampling mistakes create uncertainty and lower estimate precision, affecting data reliability and trustworthiness.
- Misguided Resource Allocation: Biassed estimations caused by improper sampling might result in resource misallocation. If policy decisions are made based on erroneous information, resources may be allocated inefficiently, resulting in missed chances to address the population’s true needs.
- Faulty sampling undermines confidence in the survey process and the credibility of the data produced. Stakeholders may dispute the surveys’ reliability and integrity, resulting in decreasing trust and perhaps impeding the use of the data for decision-making.
Need for Reforms in Major surveys
- Updating Sampling Frames: A comprehensive sampling upgrade is required to update old sample frames. Reform efforts should centre on ensuring that the sampling frames used in surveys such as the NSS, NFHS, and PLFS appropriately reflect India’s current population distribution.
- Improved Survey procedures: Survey procedures must be updated to reflect rapid changes in the population and economy. To better reflect the true state of India’s real economy, reforms should attempt to modernise and streamline survey methodology.
- Addressing Data Quality Issues: There is a lack of focus and scrutiny on the data quality of large surveys. Enhancing data quality assurance procedures throughout the survey process, including data collecting, processing, and analysis, should be prioritised in reforms.
- Mitigating Non-Sampling mistakes: Non-sampling mistakes, particularly those associated with low response rates and wealth levels, must be addressed. To ensure more accurate and representative survey estimates, reforms should focus on recognising and correcting these problems.
- Accurate Population predictions: Given the quick pace of change, changes should try to enhance population predictions so that they are more in line with ground reality. This would include fine-tuning forecasts based on historical data and factoring in the current rate of urbanisation and other demographic shifts.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/shamika-ravi-writes-our-national-surveys-are-based-on-faulty-sampling-8799300/