UNIT 5 CENSUS AND SURVEY

Structure
5.0 Objectives
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Census
5.2.1 What is Census?
5.2.2 Uses of Census Data

5.3 Survey
5.3.1 What is Survey Research?
5.3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Survey Research Method

5.4 Comparison between Census and Survey

5.5 Let Us Sum Up
5.6 References
5.7 Answers to Check Your Progress

5.0 OBJECTIVES
After going through this unit, you should be able to:
 explain what census and survey are;
 discuss advantages and disadvantages of census;
 discuss advantages and disadvantages of survey; and
 compare census with survey.

5.1 INTRODUCTION
Census and survey are both research methods which outline the process of data
collection (for analysis) in a research. In the beginning of this Unit, we will learn
what census is and how census data are utilized. This will be followed with an
understanding of what and how survey is and how it is utilized in social research
According to United Nations, the census of population is "the total process of
collecting, compiling and publishing demographic, economic and social data
pertaining, at a specified time or times to all persons in a country or delimited
territory. United Nation document–Principles and Recommendations for National
Population Censuses (ST/STAT/SERM/27). When translated in terms of


Written by Indrani Mukherjee, Research Scholar, Department of Anthropology, University of
Delhi, Delhi
everyday research, the ‘population’ of study is defined by the research interest/ Census and Survey

research question. A population is any complete group with at least one

characteristic in common. Once the population of the study has been defined,
data is systematically obtained every element/individuals of the population across
common predetermined parameters. A survey, on the other hand is a method of
gathering information from a sample of elements/people, considered to be a
representative of the research population, traditionally with the intention of
generalizing the results to the larger population. The sampling in a survey is often
based on a census of the research population, as a baseline for drawing a
representative sample.
Both census and survey recognize the universe of study which defines the
population under consideration. They simultaneously use various tools and
techniques of data collection like questionnaires, interview schedules, interviews,
and non response follow-up techniques etc., both need to process and edit the
data, and the susceptibility to various sources of error.

5.2 CENSUS
Let us discuss certain basic issues related to census.
5.2.1 What is Census?
Census refers to the complete enumeration of a universe. A universe may be a
place or a specific locality, a group of people, or objects/ elements of interest
from which data is collected. The population of a census can vary according to
the focus or need of the research. A census is an attempt to list all
elements/units/members in a group and to measure one or more characteristics of
those elements/units/members. The most common are census of with national
population, housing census other types of census include agriculture, animal,
business, farms, cars from an assembly line, traffic censuses and so on. Census is
a quantitative research method and the data collected is analyzed with the use of
statistics.

Box 5.1 Census Moment

Census in most countries of the world is conducted in years ending in 0 or 1. In
India, the census is conducted in years ending in 1. International comparability is
thus maintained. Usually, a day as well as “census moment” is fixed for the
census. In India, the “census moment” now is the sunrise of 1st March, of the
census year. The fixing of the “census moment” helps the enumerators to decide
which persons are to be included in the census. The persons born after the census
moment or the persons dying before the census moment are to be excluded from
the census.
Source: [Link]
_link/Census_Objectives_link/[Link])
While the size of the population under consideration is dependent on area of
research and can thus vary (in size), being a quantitative method census usually
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Methods of Data deals with large numbers. One of the major advantages of census method is
Collection accuracy as each and every unit of the population is studied before drawing any
conclusions of the research. When more and more data are collected the degree
of correctness of the information also increases. Thus the results based on this
method are also expected to be less biased. Data collected through census method
allows opportunity for intensive study and analysis due to the enormity of the
data collected.
Today, census is well recognised for its advantages for maintaining national level
demographic figures, which are comparable on a periodic scale, regionally,
nationally as well as internationally. Let us try to understand census better using
the example of population census. A population census covers each person
present and/or residing within its scope, without omission or duplication in the
order to ensure completeness and accuracy of census data. The total population
enumerated refers to one well defined point or period of time. The population
figures have no meaning unless they refer to a well-defined territory. The
territory covered, along with any changes in its area in successive censuses thus
needs to be clearly and explicitly stated. A census can provide detailed
information on all or most elements in the population, thereby enabling totals for
rare population groups or small geographic areas. Thus a population census is the
process of collecting, compiling, analyzing and disseminating demographic,
social, cultural and economic data relating to all persons in the country, at a
particular time in regularised intervals.
Box 5.2 History of Census in India
The history of census in India is compiled in Drop-in Article on Census- No. 5.
The following account in drawn from the above mentioned source available at:
[Link]/Ad-Campaign/drop-in-articles/05-History of Census-in-
India/pdf)
India has a long tradition of conducting census every ten years. The mention of
some kind of population count during 800-600 BC is found in the Rig Veda.
Written about 321-296 BC, Kautilya’s Arthashastra laid stress on Census taking
as a measure of state policy for the taxation purpose. The administrative report
‘Ain-eAkbari’ offered extensive data on population, industry, wealth etc. during
the reign of Mughal ruler Akber the Great. In the year 1830, Henry Walter in
Dacca conducted the first complete census of an Indian city. In this census
following characteristics were included: sex, broad age group and houses with
their amenities. The census of 1881 undertaken on February 17, 1881 by W.C.
Plowden, Census Commissioner of India was a major step towards modern
census. The first census of India after Independence was conducted in 1951
which was seventh in the series. In the present day, Census is conducted by the
office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, Ministry of
Home Affairs, Government of India.
To conduct a population census, vast organisation and considerable resources
(financial, logistical, managerial etc.) are needed. The census organisation has to
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mobilize extensive administrative machinery with adequate legislative authority. Census and Survey

This can be done only by National Government with the cooperation of States
and Local Governments.
5.2.2 Uses of Census Data
Modern census data are commonly used for research and future projections;
administrative policy and planning; business and marketing, and planning as a
baseline for designing sample surveys by providing a sampling frame. Census
also brings out the heterogeneity in a population this helps in understanding the
stratification of the population into subgroups, as well as recognizing the
weightage that each group deserves based on related parameters.
Let us take a look at how census information can be utilized by taking the
example of the Indian population census. As discussed earlier, the census in India
is conducted every 10 years, Office of the registrar general and the Census
commissioner of India, ([Link]
Indian_perceptive_link/Census_Objectives_link/[Link]), provides
a detailed description of the objectives, essentials and utility of census, let us look
at some of these in terms of the ways in which the information collected is
utilized.
(i) Projections and Research: Country-wide data on in terms of the urban-
rural areas, geographic dispersion according to occupation, education, sex
and age, economic characteristics and, social structure of population etc.
analysis of the composition, distribution, and growth of the population
accurate (both over a period of time as also projection for future). The
changing patterns of various population distributions are provided by
population census. Such appraisal is important for research and practical
problems of national, industrial and commercial growth and management.
Census data serve as the baseline for computing various indicators. For
example, census results, time-adjusted by migration statistics, can provide
estimates of the future size, distribution and other characteristics of the
population of the total country and sub-national areas. Or census data on
fertility can provide a bench-mark check on the reliability of current birth
statistics. Thus, census data can be utilized for making projections for the
future as well as crosschecking the previous projections with factual reality.
(ii) Administration, Policy and Planning: One of the most basic of the
administrative uses of census data is in the demarcation of constituencies
and the allocation of representation on governing bodies. Detailed
information on the geographic distribution of the population is indispensable
for this purpose.
Demographic and economic characteristics of the population collected
through census are essential for evaluation of economic and social problems,
which must precede the determination of policy affecting economic and
social development.
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Methods of Data Businesses and industries can effectively use census data to make reliable
Collection estimates of consumer demand for variety of goods, commodities and
services, based on the population or social group that they cater to. The
information from census feeds into operational research providing for
demand related to housing, furnishing, clothing, recreational facilities,
medical supplies and so forth. Further, the local availability of labour for
production and distribution of commodities can be easily determined by the
use of census data.
(iii) Recognising the heterogeneity of the population: Census provides the
official counts used to assign the number of elected representatives to
regions. The social and cultural data collected in the census is employed to
determine the total number of seats to be reserved for women, members of
scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other socially marginal groups in the
House of People and the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
(iv) Census as frame for Sample Surveys: Size of populations as also other
characteristics of the population. This makes its necessary to conduct regular
inter-census sample survey. These surveys provide updated and detailed data
on many characteristics that are usually investigated in population census
conducted intervals of ten years.

Box 5.3 Essential features of Census

 It is a quantitative research method.
 It advocates a systematic, standardized data collection based on
predetermined parameters.
 It is defined by a specific universe (which can be a territorial region, a
group of people, or objects or elements like crops, vehicles etc.).
 Census is defined by a point or period of time.
 It covers every element of the universe or population of study, without
omission or duplication.

The census can provide the frame for scientific design of surveys, by pointing
towards the size of a representative sample, the strata that might be considered
for the sample (economic categories like household income, property and asset,
land holding or social categories like gender, age, caste, class, identity and so
on,) etc. The results from a survey can be cross checked and compared with
census computations provided the parameters and definitions of enquiry are in
alignment with each other. A sample might utilize the same units of measure as
utilized by the census for the purposes of uniformity.
Check Your Progress 1
1) What is meant by census?
……………………………………………………………………………..…
82 ……………………………………………………………………….…….…
2) Outline four ways in which population census is utilized in India. Census and Survey

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……………………………………......................................………................

5.3 SURVEY
Survey is a method of collecting information from a sample of the population.
A sample is a subset of units in a population, selected to represent all units in a
population of interest. It is a partial enumeration because it is a count from part of
the population. Information from the sampled units is used to estimate the
characteristics for the entire population of interest. Surveys come in many
different forms and have a wide variety of purposes. Unlike a census, they gather
information from only a small sample of people (or farms, businesses or other
units, depending on the purpose of the study). Information is collected by means
of standardized questions so that every individual/unit surveyed responds to and
is evaluated for exactly the same question. Data is gathered to study demographic
information, knowledge, opinions, behavior, attitudes, habits, desires, values and
beliefs etc. Survey as a method seeks to identify principles on the sample design,
data collection instruments, statistical adjustment of data and data processing. A
survey can be used for both quantitative and qualitative research.
5.3.1 What is Survey Research?
Traditionally, surveys are recognised as a part of quantitative research, and are
vastly used as such till date. In quantitative research the sample is scientifically
chosen so that each individual in the population has a known chance of selection.
In this way, the results can be reliably projected to the larger public. Thus the
sample must be comprehensive in its design and extensive enough to provide a
reliable representation of the whole population.
The objective is not to describe the particular individuals who by chance are part
of the sample, but to obtain a statistical profile of the population. Individual
respondents are not identified. Survey's results are presented in the form of
summaries, such as statistical tables and charts.
A survey can be used to acquire demographic and socio-economic profile of a
population, however it can also be used for knowledge, opinions, behavior, and
attitudes etc., however it misses out on personal feelings or thoughts on the
situation.
5.3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Survey Research
Survey research has the following advantages:
(i) It is inexpensive and less time consuming with in-depth fieldwork-based
research.

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Methods of Data (ii) It has a wide coverage (i.e. a large section of population can be covered
Collection through survey research) Also, survey research can be carried out in
remote locations through e-mails, telephone etc.
(iii) Many questions can be asked through a survey.
(iv) Since the same set of question is asked to the whole sample, it is possible
to draw comparisons.
Survey research has the following disadvantages:
(i) Sometimes, it is difficult to frame question that are relevant to/ can be
answered by everyone included in the sample.
(ii) It is in- flexible in the sample.
(iii) These is a likelihood that respondents do not answer all the question or
not provide reliable data.
(iv) Socio-economic context is often ignored.

5.4 COMPARISON BETWEEN CENSUS AND

SURVEY
Census and Survey are both research methods that guide the collection of data in
a research process. While census enumerates every unit of the population, survey
is based on a sample or subset of the population (based on the parameters of the
research). As survey (especially in quantitative research) works though a
representative sample of the population, census often forms the baseline for
designing sample surveys by providing a sampling frame. They use standardized
patterns of information collection to facilitate comparative analysis; future
projections; administrative policy and planning; business marketing, and
planning. Surveys can also provide information on opinions, behavior, attitudes,
habits, desires, values and beliefs etc, and are used in both quantitative and
qualitative research. Census usually needs a large amount of resources in terms of
administration, finance, logistics, manpower and time. In comparison with
census, a survey based on sample collection (for the same research) is less
resource intensive. Both census and survey are valuable research methods, and
their use needs to be dictated by the need of the research.

Sl. No. Census Survey

1 Census is used for quantitative Survey is used in both quantitative

research. and qualitative research.

2 Complete enumeration: Census Partial enumeration: Survey

is a systematic method that considers a subset of the population
requires collecting recording of selected to represent the entire group,
data about all the members of the in all its characteristics.
population.
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 Census and Survey
3 Census is best suited for a Survey is better suited for
population of heterogeneous homogeneous social groups.
nature.

4 As census accounts for every There are predictable chances of

unit of the population, the data errors in the results drawn from the
when analyzed has greater sample
accuracy and reliability.

5 Benchmark data may be Interim surveys can be utilized to

obtained for future studies and draw enhanced statistical projections
baseline for drawing sample for form census data
surveys.

6 Census leads to numerical Survey can gather information on

enumerations of the population. opinions, behaviour, attitudes, habits,
desires, values and beliefs

7 Census requires considerable A survey requires comparatively less

resources (administrative, resources as the enumeration of a
financial, logistical, managerial sample is easier than the whole.
etc.)

8 Census is time consuming. A survey requires comparatively less

time.

Check Your Progress 2

1) What is meant by a survey?
……………………………………………………………………………..…
……………..........................…………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………….…….…
……………..........................…………………………………………………
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2) Fill in the blanks
(i) Survey considers a ………………… of the population.
(ii) Survey is better suited for …………………… population.
(iii) Voting behaviour can be studied through ………………method.

5.5 LET US SUM UP

In this Unit we have learnt about the research methods ‘census’ and ‘survey’. We
looked at how census is utilized in the Indian context to understand its
operationalisation. We consolidated this information to understand the properties,
advantages and disadvantages of census. We continued on our journey to lean
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Methods of Data about survey and how it can be used as for both quantitative and qualitative
Collection research, finally closing with a comparison between census and survey.

5.6 REFERENCES
Creswell, John W. 2009. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and
Mixed Methods Approaches. 3rd edition Sage: Los Angeles.
Freedman, David, Robert Pisani, and Roger Purves. 2007. Statistics. 4th edition.
W. W. Norton & Company: New York.
Given, Lisa M. 2008. The Sage Encyclopedia of Quantitative Research Methods.
Sage Publications: Los Angeles.
Jansen, Harrie. 2010. The Logic of Qualitative Survey Research and its
Position in the Field of Social Research Methods. Forum
Qualitative Social Research, Vol. 11(2).
Office of the registrar general and the Census commissioner of India, GOI
([Link]
k/Census_Objectives_link/[Link])
Triola, Mario F. 2001. Elementary statistics. 8th edition Addison-Wesley:
Boston.
Weeks, John R. 2008. Population: An introduction to concepts and issues. 4th
edition Thomson Wadsworth: Belmont, CA.
Drop-in Article on Census-No.5 available at: [Link]/Ad-
Campaign/drop-in-articles/05-History [Link]

5.7 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Progress 1
1) Census or complete enumeration is a systematic (research) method of
collecting and recording data of all units/members of the (research)
population. It is best suited for a population of heterogeneous nature and
uses statistics to provide quantitative or numerical enumerations of the
population. As census accounts for every unit of the population, the data
when analyzed has greater accuracy and reliability.
2) Population census is utilized in India in the following ways:
a. Projections and Research: The population census provides
indispensable data for scientific analysis and appraisal of the
composition, distribution and past and prospective growth of the
population.
b. Administration, Policy and Planning: Detailed information on the
geographic distribution of the population is used for demarcation of
constituencies and the allocation of representation on governing
bodies
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 c. Recognising the heterogeneity of the population: Social and cultural Census and Survey

data collected in the census is employed to determine the total number

of seats to be reserved for women, members of scheduled castes,
scheduled tribes and other socially marginal groups in the House of
People and the Legislative Assemblies of the States.
d. Census as frame for Sample Surveys: Census forms the basis for
sampling to inter-census informational updates.
Check Your Progress 2
1) Survey is a method of collecting information from a sample/subset of the
population. It is a partial enumeration where information from the sampled
units is used to estimate the characteristics for the entire population of
interest. Survey can be used for both quantitative and qualitative research.
2) (i) sample
(ii) homogeneous
(iii) survey

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